A shocking fraud case has ensnared seven individuals, including a Zanu PF councillor and a lawyer, accused of stealing a staggering US$4.5 million from a filthy rich mbinga.
The case, which involves a complex web of land deals, forged documents, and a stolen ambulance, has exposed a disturbing trend of unscrupulous individuals preying on unsuspecting investors in the city’s burgeoning property market.
The alleged victim, Andrew Sean Baker, a prominent businessman and a director of Atticus Investments (Pvt) Ltd and Big Poppa’s (Pvt) Ltd, has accused the accused of a series of elaborate scams, leaving him with significant financial losses and a trail of broken promises. A quick search on Google shows that Atticus Investments is one of the companies that acquired various amounts of foreign currency through the RBZ Foreign Exchange Auction Allotments in 2022.
The first alleged fraud involved a vacant piece of land in Kuwadzana, Harare. Saidi, the alleged mastermind behind the scheme, approached Baker, promising a prime piece of real estate for a total cost of US$1.7 million. Between May and October 2022, Baker, trusting Saidi’s promises, transferred the full amount to the accused through Saidi’s office. He then went on to pay US$51 000 for capital gains tax and about US$65 000 for transfer fees, all at Saidi’s workplace.
The accused, according to the State, produced forged documents bearing the signatures of senior government officials, convincing Baker that the transactions were legitimate. However, when Baker attempted to fence off the land in 2024, he was met with resistance from residents, who claimed ownership of the property. The headmistress of a nearby school, representing the residents, confirmed the land belonged to the community, leaving Baker with a US$1 816 000 loss and no property to show for it.
The second alleged fraud involved a 109-hectare piece of land situated opposite the Defence College in Malborough, Harare. The accused, again exploiting Baker’s trust, sold the land to him for US$2 million, with Baker also paying US$100 000 for capital gains tax and US$78 800 for transfer fees. However, on July 22, a report of criminal trespassing was filed at Malborough Police Station against Baker, alleging that he had illegally occupied the land. This revelation left Baker with another US$2 178 000 loss and no claim to the property.
The third alleged fraud involved a deceptive donation scheme. In December 2023, the accused approached Baker, requesting a donation of an ambulance to a charity organisation. Baker, believing their claims, handed over a brand new, unregistered Toyota Landcruiser ambulance, valued at US$100 000, to Saidi.
The accused, however, had no intention of donating the ambulance. They instead took it to a car sale and sold it for US$60 000 on July 25. Baker, suspecting he had been duped, filed a police report, leading to the recovery of the ambulance at the car sale.
The accused, who appeared in court two weeks ago, were denied bail by regional magistrate Marewanazvo Gofa. The State claims they illegally sold land to Baker for US$4,5 million. The accused include Blessing Munemo, the Seke Ward 1 Councillor; Gerald Saidi, a lawyer; Lovejoy Mujati, Nigel Chimbwanda, Nathan Gowoko, Timothy Gowo, and Wengai Tsomba, who was dragged to court over the weekend.
