State Alert: Fraudsters Impersonating VP Chiwenga and Household in Cross-Border Scam

VP Chiwenga and wife

Harare, Zimbabwe- The Government of Zimbabwe has issued a high-priority public warning regarding a criminal syndicate impersonating Vice President Constantino Chiwenga and his wife, Colonel Miniyothabo Baloyi Chiwenga. In a statement released by Deputy Chief Secretary for Presidential Communications George Charamba, authorities detailed a scheme using foreign telecommunications networks to solicit funds and sensitive data from unsuspecting citizens and foreigners.

The impostors are reportedly leveraging the prestige of the Vice Presidency to execute a "social engineering" fraud.

• Foreign Origins: The perpetrators are primarily using phone numbers with South African (+27) and Nigerian (+234) country codes.

• The Bait: Contact is initiated to solicit money, specialized services, or personal information under the guise of official state business or household needs.

• Social Media Impersonation: Fake profiles on X (formerly Twitter) have been identified. The government has explicitly clarified that neither the Vice President nor his wife holds accounts on X.

To protect the public from further prejudice, the Deputy Chief Secretary emphasized that state business is never conducted via informal digital channels or foreign mobile numbers.

1. Authorized Personnel: All official matters are handled by verified personnel through established government structures.

2. Official Channels: Communication from the Vice President’s Office follows strict, traceable administrative routes.

3. Verification: Any informal "outreach" claiming to be from the household should be treated as fraudulent and ignored.

The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) and national security agencies are currently collaborating with telecommunications regulators in both South Africa and Nigeria. The goal is to track the digital footprint of the specific phone numbers used in the scheme and bring the perpetrators likely operating as part of a transnational cybercrime ring to justice.

Public Action Point: Members of the public who have been contacted by these imposters are urged to report the interaction immediately to the nearest police station or the Office of the President and Cabinet (OPC).

Vice President Constantino Chiwenga impersonation scam