Man Scammed Out of US$15000 in Elaborate Chadonha Hoax
In a shocking turn of events, a 43-year-old man from Zvishavane was swindled out of US$15,000 by a group of cunning scammers in an elaborate scheme known as ‘chadonha' involving fake police officers.
The incident, which unfolded on November 19, has left the community in disbelief.
The victim, Mr Luckson Daka, had just stepped off an Inter-Africa bus when he was approached by Wellington Nhiwatiwa (46) and seven accomplices, who are still at large.
Chadonha Cons Caught Live in Action
The gang threw a bundle of fake notes wrapped in plastic in front of Mr Daka, making it appear as though they had stumbled upon a fortune.
Convinced by the scammers' story, Mr Daka agreed to accompany them to Harare Kopje Mountain, where they promised to share the “money” with him.
Man Scammed Out of US$15000 in Elaborate Chadonha Hoax
However, the situation took a sinister turn when another group of five men, posing as police officers, appeared at the scene.
These fake officers searched Mr Daka's satchel, seizing the US$15,000 he was carrying, and then fled, leaving him bewildered and significantly poorer.
Wellington Nhiwatiwa appeared before Harare magistrate Mr Isheanesu Matova yesterday, facing fraud charges.
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Nhiwatiwa challenged his placement on remand, and the court has deferred the ruling to Thursday.
Prosecutor Mr Takudzwa Jambawu detailed the elaborate scam, highlighting the lengths to which the criminals went to deceive Mr Daka.
