From Genius to Jail: How Gweru Man Stole US$2,300 From Ecocash Agents Before Justice Caught Up

From Genius to Jail: How Gweru Man Stole $2,300 From Ecocash Agents Before Justice Caught Up

A Gweru man almost got away after executing a clever Ecocash scam and stole a total of US$2,300 from three different agents before being arrested and brought before a magistrate.

The Gweru Magistrates’ Court head how Stanford Tapiwa Marongwe (21) scammed three Ecocash agents in September this year.

Also read: ‘Kuda Tagwirei’s Son’ Scams Girlfriend, Her Workmates and Friends

How Gweru Man Stole $2,300 From Ecocash Agents Before Justice Caught Up

On September 21, he approached a mobile money outlet, posing as a customer wanting to withdraw US$450. Marongwe asked to borrow a calculator and the unsuspecting cashier handed him their cellphone instead.

Taking advantage of the moment, Marongwe saved his phone number in the device under the name “+263164USD.” He then used the cashier’s phone to send a “please call me” message to his own number, secretly capturing the cashier’s details. Afterwards, he returned the phone as though nothing had happened.

Later, using the stolen number, Marongwe sent a fake confirmation text, tricking the cashier into believing the US$450 withdrawal was successful. Trusting the bogus message, the cashier handed him the cash. The scam only came to light later that evening as the Ecocash agent was reconciling the books.

Marongwe didn’t stop there. Using the same tactic, he swindled two other Ecocash agents of US$850 and US$1,000 respectively.

Also read: Get-Rich-Quick Scheme Fails: OK Zimbabwe Employee in Hot Water Over US$55 000 EcoCash Scam

A Clever Plan That Backfired

The Gweru Magistrates’ Court handed him a 36-month prison sentence. However, 8 months were suspended for five years on the condition of good behaviour, and another 18 months were suspended on the condition he repay the stolen money. Marongwe will effectively spend 10 months behind bars.

The post From Genius to Jail: How Gweru Man Stole US$2,300 From Ecocash Agents Before Justice Caught Up appeared first on iHarare News.