Nurse Loses US$28,900 in Fake Zimbabwe Cricket Job Scam

Nurse Loses US$28,900 in Fake Cricket Job Scam

A Bulawayo nurse is reported to have lost nearly US$29,000 after she was led to believe she was being recruited to join the Zimbabwe national cricket team as part of its medical staff.

Also Read: Zimbabwe Foreign Affairs Ministry Exposes Fake Embassy Job Scam Demanding US$375

Accused Appears in Court

Dumisani Mankunzini (35) of Mpopoma appeared before Tredgold Magistrates’ Court facing fraud charges.

He was remanded in custody. Mankunzini is said to have introduced himself as the national development manager for an organisation he called Cricket Ekhaya Ekasi.

How the Offer Was Made

Prosecutor Josephine Gurazhira told the court that in October last year, Mankunzini went to Mpilo Central Hospital and informed a sister-in-charge that Zimbabwe Cricket was looking for medical personnel to support the national team on international tours.

A nurse at the hospital, who had aspirations of working in sports medicine, was reportedly interested in the opportunity.

Payments Requested

The court heard that in January this year, Mankunzini met the nurse again and confirmed that she had been selected.

He then advised her that before joining the team, she was required to complete what he described as a “cricket medical certification course,” requesting a payment of US$250 into a CABS account.

After the first payment, further amounts were allegedly requested for uniforms, administration fees, visas, airline tickets and other travel-related costs. All payments were reportedly made to the same account.

Total Amount Lost

Over several months, the nurse made multiple payments, amounting to US$28,900. The court was told that when she began inquiring about travel arrangements and tour dates, communication from Mankunzini became irregular. She later discovered that the job offer did not exist and reported the matter to Bulawayo Central Police Station.

No funds were recovered.