THESE are the faces of Chitungwiza syndicate which police claim operated a sophisticated Ecocash fraud operation, in which they defrauded scores of victims, from last year to this month. All the members of the gang, which appears to include two brothers – Panashe and Tinashe Gonzo – have been arrested in a landmark breakthrough by the police. Household items such as beds, sofas, televisions, refrigerators, wardrobes, stoves, plates, and blankets, which police suspect were bought with the proceeds of the crime, were also seized.
Some of the proceeds from crime were invested in cryptocurrency. The heart of the syndicate was in Unit D, the neighbourhood adjacent to the Chitungwiza Town Centre, and seven of those arrested stayed in the area. The others are from Unit E, Zengeza 2, Unit B and Dema.
H-Metro has obtained exclusive photographs and names of the suspected members of the syndicate. They are Mpho Ruzwidzo (22), Ishmael Muzanenhamo, 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 (22), Billy Zawe (21) and Dilan Macheka (22). “Once victims accessed the links, they were manipulated into disclosing One-Time Passwords (OTPs).
[paywall]
“This security breach enabled the syndicate to unlawfully access victims’ Ecocash wallets and siphon funds into multiple controlled accounts.” Detective Inspector Rachel Muteweri, spokesperson of the Criminal Investigations Department (CID), confirmed the arrest of the suspects, resulting in the recovery of US$22,000. The CID Homicide team utilised a “follow-the-money” investigative approach, leading to the identification of the suspects and subsequent arrests. Recovered items included five Econet-linked mobile phones, several SIM cards, and US$600. One SIM card, which contained illicit funds, had been blocked, preventing any further withdrawals.
[/paywall]
All Zim News – Bringing you the latest news and updates.
