Zvishavane Man Jailed for Faking Non-Existent Daughter’s Death in US$6,250 EcoSure Insurance Scam

Zvishavane Man Jailed for Faking Non-Existent Daughter’s Death in US$6,250 EcoSure Insurance Scam

A Zvishavane man has been sentenced to 14 months in prison after concocting an elaborate scheme to defraud Ecosure Insurance.

Promise Banda, 40, fabricated a daughter named “Chipo Enia Banda,” faked her death, and submitted forged documents, including a child health card and burial order, to claim US$6 250 in death benefits.

Court Verdict

Banda appeared before Zvishavane Magistrates’ Court, where he was found guilty of fraud.

He received an 18-month sentence, with four months suspended on condition of good behaviour, leaving him to serve 14 months behind bars.

Fraud Exposed by Investigators

The National Prosecuting Authority of Zimbabwe (NPAZ) said Banda’s claim was quickly investigated and revealed as a complete fabrication. The phantom child never existed, and the death claim was entirely false.

“This was a deliberate attempt to defraud an insurance company and undermine confidence in the system,” the NPAZ stated, warning that such schemes threaten public trust in financial institutions.

Also Read: Ecosure Insurance Fraud Exposed: Harare Man Fined For Faking Fictitious Daughter’s Death

Another Fraud Case Highlights Insurance Scams

Last year, a Harare man, Sylvester Rusere, 36, from Hopely, was penalized for attempting to defraud EcoSure through a similarly elaborate scheme. Rusere invented a fictitious daughter and faked her death to claim funeral benefits.

He had registered for EcoSure funeral cover, listing his imaginary daughter along with another non-existent child, Mufaro Rusere, as dependents. Between March and April 2024, Rusere falsely reported that Mufaro had died in March 2024 at Mukutukutu Village, Chief Nyashanhu, Buhera.

To support his claim, Rusere forged a death certificate for Mufaro and completed all required forms, which were meant to be signed by the village head. He even persuaded witnesses to back his story and obtained copies of their national identity cards.

Rusere submitted the fake documents at an Econet shop in Masvingo, filling out EcoSure claim forms with the counterfeit death certificate, national IDs, and forged signatures.

However, EcoSure quickly identified discrepancies and launched an investigation. They discovered that Rusere had no daughter named Mufaro, which led to his arrest. He later pleaded guilty to fraud and was fined US$400 by a Masvingo magistrate.