Man Arrested for iPhone Fraud, Graphic Designer Accused of Business Profile Manipulation
In a recent incident, a man from Chitungwiza has been apprehended for defrauding Econet of three iPhones by manipulating his CABS debit card chip with a South African FNB Visa card. Clevers Manhombo (40) allegedly colluded with three accomplices to remove the chip from his CABS bank card and implant it onto the FNB Visa card.
Using the deceitful card, they successfully purchased two iPhone 14s with a combined value of US$3,150 from Avondale Econet Shop, presenting the altered debit card as a genuine Visa card. On the same day, they acquired another iPhone 14 for US$1,575 from Chisipite Econet Shop, and fraudulently obtained a Samsung A33 worth US$435 from Econet Herbert Chitepo.
Econet incurred an actual loss of US$5,291 due to these fraudulent transactions. Manhombo’s involvement in the crime was established through the testimony of a witness and the analysis of CCTV footage. The witness had been approached by Manhombo, who requested a CABS bank card, and the CCTV footage positively identified him.
Manhombo appeared before Harare magistrate Apolonia Marutya, who deferred his bail application to a later date. The investigation is ongoing, and more information is expected to be presented during the bail hearing.
In a separate case, a local graphic designer named Nicholas Mwamuka (41) has been accused of manipulating his former employer’s business partner’s profile. Mwamuka allegedly removed the profile of Durban July Power Systems and substituted it with his own company’s details, known as Online Electrical Engineering (Pvt) Ltd.
Using the altered profile, Mwamuka deceived his clients by misrepresenting that his company was tax compliant. He further utilized Durban July Power Systems’ BPN number, falsely claiming it as his own. It should be noted that Mwamuka had been dismissed from Durban July Power Systems in September 2023, but the profile manipulation occurred in July.
Mwamuka’s actions were discovered, leading to his arrest. He has been remanded for a bail application hearing scheduled for tomorrow. The investigation into the extent of the profile manipulation and any potential repercussions for Mwamuka’s clients is ongoing.
