Police arrest ZWL$100 million Ecocash fraud masterminds

Lloyd Ndemo

Police in Zimbabwe have arrested two men in connection with cases of fraud running into ZWL$100 million which occurred in Harare earlier this month.

The pair allegedly hacked mobile money transfer platform EcoCash and WhatsApp accounts using stolen identities of people trusted by members of particular WhatsApp groups.

They would then allegedly offer United States dollars at good exchange rates and disappear after receiving the local currency equivalent through EcoCash.

Police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi said, “The Zimbabwe Republic Police confirms the arrest of Leeman Mushayi (26) and Prince Kadzungwe (41) in connection with cases of fraud which occurred in and around Harare.

“The suspects approached an Econet shop and fraudulently applied for a sim-card replacement on the complainant’s number before restoring her WhatsApp and advertising on groups purporting that she was dealing in foreign currency.”

Assistant Commissioner Nyathi added, “Several victims were enchanted with the good rates and were defrauded various amounts.”