Two men arrested for attempting to defraud over US$1 million from GMB

Munyaradzi Mashiri

Zim Now Court Correspondent

Two men, Dennis Nhapata and Challenge Phiri, both 40 years old and residents of Warren Park D, have been brought before the Harare Magistrates' court for allegedly attempting to defraud the Grain Marketing Board of US$1.3 million. 

They face charges of fraud after they reportedly hacked into the email account of GMB's accountant, Parrence Chikerema, and sent fake instructions to banks to transfer large sums of money to their own account.

The State, represented by prosecutor Anesu Chirenje, revealed that Nhapata and Phiri instructed the Commercial Bank of Zimbabwe to transfer US$1.2 million and AFC Bank to transfer US$150,000 into their Success Microfinance Treasury account. 

Their scheme was exposed when CBZ bank inquired with Chikerema, who denied authorising the transaction.

Further investigation revealed that Nhapata owned the account in question and had authorised the transfer. 

When Nhapata arrived at the bank to collect the money, he was confronted by Chikerema, leading to the pair's arrest. 

All the stolen funds were recovered. Nhapata and Phiri have been remanded in custody.