ECOCASH HACKING GANG FILE BAIL APPLICATIONS

THE eleven men accused of defrauding EcoCash users through fake free data bundle offers have filed their bail applications. All the gang members are aged between 20 and 26. 0They are facing charges of hacking the Ecocash platform and allegedly stealing more than US$61,000 from unsuspecting victims.

Mpho Ruzwidzo (22), Ishmael Muzanenhamo (20), Moses Shingirai Chawatama (24), Usher Forester Mubaiwa (26), Panashe Wesley Gonzo (22), Tinashe Gonzo (24), Eddington Leeroy Mazonde (21), Calvin Takudzwa Masiyandaita (23), Shawn Goodmore Chikangaidze, Billy Zawe (21) and Dilan Macheka (22) appeared before Harare magistrate Ruth Moyo. Through their lawyers, they argued that they were suitable candidates for bail as they all still stay with their parents at addresses that can be verified. They argued that the State’s allegations were vague as they don’t specify which accused person did what in the commission of the crime.

Magistrate Moyo is expected to hand down the bail ruling tomorrow. According to the State, the gang acted in common purpose to exploit Econet Zimbabwe’s EcoCash platform by targeting users. In November last year, the suspects allegedly sent fraudulent links to EcoCash users, claiming to offer free data bundles.

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Victims who clicked on the links were redirected to fake portals where they were instructed to enter personal details, including their mobile phone numbers. At the final stage of the scheme, they allegedly contacted the victims by phone and requested the One-Time PIN (OTP) sent to their handsets. Armed with the OTPs, the suspects allegedly gained unauthorised access to the victims’ EcoCash accounts and transferred funds to accounts under their control.

The court heard that on February 4 detectives, acting on intelligence-led investigations and financial transaction tracing, arrested Ruzwidzo and Muzanenhamo at their home. A search at the premises led to the recovery of five cellphones allegedly linked to the offences, several Econet SIM cards and US$600 in cash. The following day, police arrested the remaining suspects in Chitungwiza after further investigations and information obtained during interrogations.

Additional cellphones, SIM cards and Buddie lines allegedly used in the commission of the offences were recovered. The total amount allegedly stolen through the scheme is estimated at US$61,387.

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