Con women fleece Harare traders of US$25,000

Harare traders report losing over US$25,000 to suspected con women who allegedly ran fake clothing and blanket supply scams using WhatsApp networks and aliases (image source)

Several downtown Harare traders say they have lost more than US$25,000 to two suspected con women who allegedly orchestrated a months-long fake supply scheme involving clothing and blankets, leaving some shop owners unable to restock and temporarily shutting their businesses.

The suspects, identified as Fortunate Lambukeni and Millicent Mashongamhende — who also reportedly used the alias Mirirai Chaurika — are accused of recruiting clients via WhatsApp groups and direct street networks. Victims say they were offered fast delivery of imported stock at competitive prices, but after making advance payments no goods arrived and communication was blocked.

One complainant, Alex Kari, told local media he was defrauded twice:

“Fortunate duped me of US$9,000 and later introduced me to Millicent, who took another US$8,000.”

Kari said both women vanished once he attempted to chase outstanding deliveries.

Law-enforcement authorities have been notified and more victims are coming forward. Attempts to obtain comment from the accused were unsuccessful, with one suspect declining to respond when contacted. Fraud involving messaging apps and multiple identities continues to challenge investigators in Harare’s rapidly expanding informal trading sector.

A familiar scam hitting hard

Other traders in the central business district described similar patterns: small repeat transactions to build trust, followed by larger payments routed through intermediaries and sudden disappearance once funds were secured. The resulting cash-flow crises have been especially damaging for micro-retailers operating on narrow margins and dependent on quick turnover.

Commercial crime analysts say the case reflects well-documented fraud tactics — advance payments for non-existent goods, shifting contact details, informal payment channels and false referrals to lawyers or agents. They recommend:

• Verified supplier documentation

• Staged payments tied to confirmed deliveries

• Use of traceable bank transfers over cash or mobile wallet transactions

Authorities have long warned that urban trading growth and informal cross-border sourcing create fertile conditions for opportunistic scams. Traders are urging stronger public awareness campaigns and supplier-vetting systems to prevent further financial harm.