A former accounting executive at Croco Motors, Joe Leeroy (38), has been arraigned before the courts on charges of fraud, facing accusations of siphoning US$119 000 from his employer.
The money was intended for the importation of two Ford Transit buses for a client, Bureau Veritas, represented by Mr Tendai Jeremiah Malunga.
The alleged scam unfolded in July this year when Mr Malunga, seeking to purchase the two buses, contacted Croco Motors and was assisted by Leeroy. They exchanged email addresses for further communication and clarifications.
On 18 July, Leeroy emailed Mr Malunga a quotation for the vehicles, priced at US$119 954, and provided Steward Bank account details for payment. However, just days later, on 22 July, Leeroy sent another email, this time directing Mr Malunga to transfer the funds to an offshore account in Romania, under the name of Croco Motors.
Mr Malunga, understandably cautious about the sudden change in banking details, questioned the move. Leeroy assured him that everything was legitimate, claiming it was easier to transfer money into the offshore account and that it belonged to Croco Motors.
On 24 July, Mr Malunga proceeded to transfer the money from his company’s Standard Bank South Africa account to the offshore account.
Leeroy continued to reassure Mr Malunga that everything was in order, even after the payment had been made.
However, when Mr Malunga visited Croco Motors to collect the buses, he presented the proof of payment to the General Manager of Finance, Mr Taruva Taruva, only to be met with disbelief. Mr Taruva confirmed that Croco Motors did not hold any accounts in Romania, let alone offshore accounts.
Further investigations by Croco Motors’ IT department revealed that it was Leeroy who had sent Mr Malunga the offshore account details, falsely claiming they belonged to the company.
Leeroy’s contract was subsequently terminated on 9 August. Bureau Veritas, the victim of this alleged scam, lost US$119 954, and nothing was recovered.
Leeroy appeared before Harare magistrate Mrs Sandra Mupindu, charged with fraud. He was granted US$200 bail and is scheduled to appear in court again on a later date.
