Man in Court for US$36k Bank Fraud Through Identity Theft

Munyaradzi Mashiri- Court Correspondent

A 30-year-old man has been charged with fraud after allegedly using a fake national identity card to access a victim’s NMB Bank account and steal US$36 600.

Christopher Chimedza of Kuwadzana 2 appeared at the Harare Magistrates Court facing fraud charges. He is expected back in court on September 3, 2025.

The complainant is Faina Moyo.

The State alleges that in March, Chimedza and his accomplices, Patricia Mugwini and Shangwa Huggin Chimedza — who are already out on bail for the same offence — conspired to obtain a duplicate national identity card bearing the complainant’s details.

It is further alleged that the trio approached Econet Zimbabwe, used the fake ID to replace the complainant’s Buddie SIM card, and then downloaded the NMB Connect mobile banking application. Using the stolen SIM card, which was linked to the complainant’s bank account, they obtained a One-Time Password (OTP) to log in.

They allegedly withdrew US$30,600 from the account using the NMB Virtual withdrawal facility.

On July 29, Chimedza’s accomplices were arrested and implicated him in the offence.

 He was arrested on August 5.

The total value of the prejudice is US$36,600. 

Nothing has been recovered.