Two Harare residents, Deniss Nhapata and Challenge Phiri, both 40 years old, are facing fraud charges after allegedly hacking an accountant’s email and attempting to fraudulently transfer US$1.3 million from the complainant’s company.
The National Prosecuting Authority of Zimbabwe (NPAZ) confirmed the arrests in an official statement, detailing the audacious cyber heist.
According to the NPAZ, the alleged incident occurred on September 10, 2024. Nhapata and Phiri are accused of working together to hack into the email account of an accountant employed by the complainant’s company. They then used the compromised email to send messages to the complainant’s bank, posing as the legitimate account holder.
The duo instructed the bank to transfer a staggering US$1 300 000 to a bank account they provided. Fortunately, the bank, suspicious of the request, contacted the actual complainant for verification.
This prompt action by the bank triggered a trap, leading to the arrest of Nhapata and Phiri. The complainant, who had suffered a potential prejudice of US$1 300 000, was relieved to have the full amount recovered.
The two accused men appeared before the Harare Magistrates’ Court, where they were ordered to remain in custody until September 26, 2024, pending further proceedings in their high-stakes fraud case.
