Fake Agent Defrauds Diaspora of US$38 000

A Harare man allegedly defrauded a UK-based Zimbabwean of US$38 000 in a fake presidential scheme scam (image source)

A 25-year-old man, Arthur Mugomo, appeared before Harare magistrate Ethel Chichera yesterday charged with defrauding a UK-based Zimbabwean of US$38 000 by falsely claiming to be coordinating government-backed “presidential schemes” allocating diaspora stands, farms, tractors, and inputs. The alleged scam, which spanned from August 2024 to July 2025, highlights growing concerns over fraudulent middlemen preying on diasporan remittances.

Mugomo, of Glen Norah, was granted US$200 bail after the State prosecutor detailed how he used four mobile lines registered under fictitious names and addresses to pose as a “project coordinator” for Zimbabwe’s Presidential Inputs Scheme. The complainant, 46-year-old Vennah Mugarisanwa, wired funds via WorldRemit, Omari, and Mukuru, but never received any assets or progress reports, prompting her lawyers at Tawanda Law Practices to report the matter to the CID Commercial Crimes Division.

Inspector Nyasha Mapuranga of the Zimbabwe Republic Police’s Commercial Crimes unit warned that this type of fraud is on the rise as scammers exploit diasporans’ demand for land and agricultural support. “We’re seeing more cases where criminals misrepresent official schemes, leaving victims hundreds of kilometres away with little recourse,” she said. According to the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe, total remittances reached US$2.1 billion in 2024, making diaspora funds critical for micro-businesses and household consumption. Yet the bank’s 2023 Financial Stability Report cautions that unauthorised agents often bypass formal channels, increasing risks of fraud and money laundering.

Experts urge the Government to enhance awareness campaigns and vetting processes for scheme intermediaries. “Diasporans deserve clear information on how to apply, whom to contact and which fees are legitimate,” said Dr Prosper Chitanga, a governance specialist at the Africa Parliamentary Centre. He recommends an online registry of accredited scheme officers and an official verification hotline.

Zimbabwe’s Presidential Inputs Scheme, launched in 2021, aims to supply farmers with machinery and inputs subsidised through government-to-government agreements, notably with China and Turkey. Yet no public directory of scheme coordinators exists, leaving room for imposters. In 2023, the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission noted a 28 percent uptick in complaints related to phantom presidential agents and called for stricter oversight.

Diasporan frustration has grown, as official remittance platforms like WorldRemit publish security advisories on their sites to help users spot scams. WorldRemit’s “Spot and report fraud” guide lists red flags such as unsolicited project offers and lack of verifiable contact details.

With Mugomo due back in court on 15 October, authorities are urging other potential victims to come forward. Civil society groups are pressing for an interministerial task force to audit all presidential-scheme applications and close loopholes that empower con artists. Unless swift reforms are enacted, the very schemes designed to drive rural development may remain vulnerable to exploitation.