Victims Speak Out Over Alleged Pinways Direct Engine Import Scam

Keith Mpame.

A growing number of Zimbabweans are coming forward with allegations against Pinways Direct, a vehicle parts and engine supply business reportedly linked to businessman Keith Mpame, after customers allegedly lost thousands of United States dollars in undelivered engine import deals.

One complainant says he paid US$1,950 for an engine in March 2025 after being promised delivery within 45 days from Dubai to Harare. More than a year later, the engine has still not been delivered.

According to the victim, Pinways Direct was at the time operating from Belvedere in Harare and communicated with customers primarily through WhatsApp groups and Dubai-based phone numbers.

“I would like to thank you for exposing fraudulent companies and individuals who are robbing people of their hard-earned money,” the complainant said.

“After I made the initial payment, I was told that the engine would take about 45 days to arrive from Dubai to Harare. Up to today, since March 2025, it has never been delivered.”

The complainant alleges that after payments were made, communication from the company stopped entirely.

“Their contact numbers were later changed from Dubai numbers to NetOne numbers, and since then they no longer respond to messages. I was also removed from their WhatsApp group,” he said.

The victim further claimed that the alleged scam may involve multiple WhatsApp groups used to attract customers searching for imported engines and vehicle parts.

“These people seem to be running a scam using different WhatsApp groups. They add customers, answer enquiries, give prices, and once payment is made, communication stops completely,” he alleged.

In response, affected customers have reportedly formed a WhatsApp support group to coordinate efforts to recover their money and share information.

“At the moment, we are about 67 victims in the WhatsApp group,” the complainant said.

He also urged other alleged victims to come forward and report the matter to the police.

“We encourage everyone who was scammed to report the matter to the police and obtain a case number. This will help us submit a formal request for an official police statement and assist in efforts to bring Keith Mpame to justice.”

The complainant further alleged that investigations by the CID Commercial Crimes Division have made little progress.

“Investigations at the CID CCD department have stalled, and since last year nothing meaningful has happened,” he claimed.

No official response from Pinways Direct or Keith Mpame had been issued at the time of publication, and police had not publicly commented on the allegations.

Authorities have repeatedly warned Zimbabweans to exercise caution when making payments for imported vehicles, engines, or vehicle parts through social media platforms and WhatsApp groups, especially where businesses demand upfront payment without verifiable delivery records.

Pinways Direct scam