HARARE – Deputy defence minister Levi Mayihlome was defrauded of US$850 after falling for a get-rich-quick online scam.
The retired brigadier general, 71, reacted to a Facebook advert by an individual identifying as Zodwa Mkandla, promising rich pickings from “online cash trading.” He assumed the individual was his socialite friend with the same name, he told police.
An initial investment of US$200 in the scheme would multiply 25-fold, the scammers said.
Mayihlome told police he initially transferred US$200 at an Innbucks outlet in Borrowdale to the mobile phone number provided. The number – 0776096070 – is registered to one Gilbert Makombe.
“He was later advised that he made profit of US$5,300. The complainant was advised that for him to withdraw the profits, he was supposed to deposit another US$650,” according to a police report of the incident seen by ZimLive.
Mayihlome made further cash deposits or US$500 and US$150 but now to a different number – 0777684129 – which is registered to one Austine Tafirei.
Mayihlome became suspicious after the scammers demanded a further US$365 payment for what they described was “inland tax revenue” and “realised he had been duped,” police said.
Avondale police are leading the investigation.
