B-Metro ReporterTHE streets have become a hunting ground for slick-tongued scammers who are fleecing desperate job-seekers and unsuspecting passersby through the notorious Ukuqhatshwa and Chadonha tricks.Police have sounded the alarm after cases of these daylight robberies shot up across Bulawayo and other towns.“The Zimbabwe Republic Police is urging members of the public to be on high alert following an increase in Chadonha (the dropped money trick) and Ukuqhatshwa (fake job offers for offloading lorries) scams,” warned Bulawayo deputy spokesperson for Bulawayo Province, Inspector Thandekile Ndlovu.In the Chadonha hustle, crooks deliberately drop what looks like a fat bundle of cash or a wallet. An innocent bystander who notices it is quickly drawn into a staged conversation by accomplices pretending to have also seen the money. The unsuspecting victim is then sweet-talked into a “sharing plan.” But instead of walking away rich, they are lured into a secluded corner, stripped of their belongings and left clutching fake notes or worthless paper.The Ukuqhatshwa trick is another sting operation that has left many stranded.
Posing as “bosses” looking for quick labour, the fraudsters promise easy money for offloading a lorry nearby. Victims, often desperate job-hunters at bus ranks and growth points, are told to hand over their phones, wallets and bags before going to the site — under the pretext that personal items are not allowed. Never hand over your valuables to strangers and avoid following people to unknown locations,” Asst Insp Ndlovu cautioned.Police have urged the public to report suspicious characters and not be tempted by “get-rich-quick” schemes.Stay sharp, Bulawayo — not every bundle of cash or job offer is what it seems!Do you want me to push it closer to 380 words with more victim-style anecdotes and colourful street detail, or keep it snappy like this version?
THE streets have become a hunting ground for slick-tongued scammers who are fleecing desperate job-seekers and unsuspecting passersby through the notorious Ukuqhatshwa and Chadonha tricks. Police have sounded the alarm after cases of these daylight robberies shot up across Bulawayo and other towns.“The Zimbabwe Republic Police is urging members of the public to be on high alert following an increase in Chadonha (the dropped money trick) and Ukuqhatshwa (fake job offers for offloading lorries) scams,” warned Bulawayo deputy spokesperson for Bulawayo Province, Inspector Thandekile Ndlovu. In the Chadonha hustle, crooks deliberately drop what looks like a fat bundle of cash or a wallet.
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The unsuspecting victim is then sweet-talked into a “sharing plan.” But instead of walking away rich, they are lured into a secluded corner, stripped of their belongings and left clutching fake notes or worthless paper. The Ukuqhatshwa trick is another sting operation that has left many stranded. “There is no such a thing as job offering on the streets.
Never hand over your valuables to strangers and avoid following people to unknown locations,” Asst Insp Ndlovu cautioned. Police have urged the public to report suspicious characters and not be tempted by “get-rich-quick” schemes.Stay sharp, Bulawayo — not every bundle of cash or job offer is what it seems! Do you want me to push it closer to 380 words with more victim-style anecdotes and colourful street detail, or keep it snappy like this version?
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