Ecocash Agent Loses US$400 To Fraudster
By Goodwell Kazingizi in Mashonaland Central
A newly established Ecocash agent at Musiiwa Business Centre lost US$400 to a fraudster in what appeared to have been a well-coordinated scam.
The incident occurred yesterday. An unidentified smartly dressed man driving a Toyota Fortuner approached the agent and requested to cash out US$400. After being instructed to process the transaction, the man produced a text as confirmation of a successful transfer.
Without suspecting any foul play, the agent handed over the cash. Moments after the man drove off, the agent realized that the transaction was made in Zig, not US dollars.
An alarm was raised immediately, but efforts by nearby motorists to pursue the fraudster were unsuccessful.
In a separate incident, two men driving another top-of-the-range vehicle are reportedly scamming villagers in Munemo, Chirodza, and Chandavengerwa. Posing as maize buyers, they have been using counterfeit high-denomination notes to make purchases.
A recent case in Chirodza saw a household duped with a fake US$50 note after the suspects bought two buckets of maize under the pretense of attending a nearby funeral.
Local businessman Stanley Mwanza urged fellow traders to be vigilant:
“As business people, we must always stay alert. These fraudsters are using every trick — including technology — to target our hard-earned money. Let’s be cautious and verify every transaction before parting with cash.”
