Charge those celebrities! Victims demand accountability from influencers in Vecco Lupa’s migration scam
Zimbabwean socialites Madam Boss, Kiki and Tytie, the Nyati family, Mama Vee, Motswana musician Vee Mampeezy, and South African socialite Sphalaphala Saga Marothi have been accused of steering their millions of followers towards Vecco Lupa’s alleged international migration scam.
Social media influencers who publicly promoted Diamond Migration to their millions of followers are facing backlash from victims who say the endorsements gave the alleged scams legitimacy and persuaded them to trust Evans Sivechere, also known as Vecco Lupa on social media platforms.
Several complainants who spoke to IOL News said they were drawn to Diamond Migration after seeing glowing promotions and testimonials from high-profile Zimbabwean influencers, including Tarisai “Madam Boss” Chikocho; socialite couple Better Kudakwashe Madhuyu and his wife, Kylie Tonsani, popularly known as Tytie and Kiki; and another socialite couple, Gilbert Nyamanhindi and Joyce Manyara, known on social media as the Nyathi family.
Other socialites implicated in the international scam include Zimbabwean comedian and content creator Admire Takudzwa Mushambi, popularly known as Mama Vee; Zimbabwean content creator Bridget Panashe Marufu, also known as Mabrijo; Zimbabwean celebrity couple The Musekaz; Motswana musician Odirile Ishmael Sento, popularly known as Vee Mampeezy; and South African socialite Kwetla Tersia Lesekane, known by her stage name Sphalaphala Saga Marothi.
Many of these personalities publicly associated themselves with Sivechere and Diamond Migration, appeared in his marketing material, or encouraged followers to use his migration services.
In some cases, victims who spoke to IOL said they assumed the influencers had verified the company’s legitimacy — or had successfully used Diamond Migration themselves — before advertising it to the public.
One complainant, Yvonne, said the endorsements “made it feel safe”, adding that she would never have paid almost R50,000 to Diamond Migration in South Africa without seeing familiar public figures promoting the agency online.
“I religiously follow The Musekaz, Madam Boss, and Mama Vee on Facebook. They were busy advertising Vecco Lupa and Diamond Migration on social media platforms. After seeing these endorsements, I then called Diamond Migration. In my mind, I was thinking these popular bloggers cannot advertise scammers publicly,” Yvonne told IOL.
“I trusted Mama Vee so much, but that trust is now broken. Why would he do that to us? I decided to look for numbers and directly contact these celebrities myself. I also sent them proof of where they were endorsing the company Diamond Migration.”
IOL has seen screenshots where Yvonne confronted the socialites. Madam Boss did not respond to her queries, while other influencers told her to contact Diamond Migration directly.
After Sivechere was arrested by the Botswana Police Service last week, several influencers have since distanced themselves from Diamond Migration — a move the victims insist is not enough.
In publicly shared posts, Madam Boss said she would implement stricter vetting procedures before associating with any brand or service.
“Again, I deeply apologise and humbly ask for your understanding. I stand with the people affected,” she said.
Other socialites have silently deleted their Diamond Migration promotional content.
Victims say the collapse of Diamond Migration raises difficult questions about the responsibility of influencers who recommend services without due diligence or transparency about their relationship with the brand.
Some victims have appealed for governments in South Africa, Botswana and Zimbabwe to charge social media influencers who promote fraudulent schemes.
“Madam Boss can just write an apology and move on with her life, just like that. I have lost my future in this scam. Tytie and Kiki continue to share pictures of cars, lots of food and lavish lifestyle online, while my children’s future has been ruined. It is an insult to the thousands of people who were scammed. I would not have trusted Diamond Migration without the endorsement of celebrities,” said one victim, Idah.
“What happens if someone promotes a programme where people are raped or killed? There has to be accountability. Issuing a press statement and moving is not the accountability we are looking for as victims. We are hoping that the South African Police Service will demand answers from all these celebrities in Botswana, Zimbabwe and South Africa because the crime happened in South Afrca.”
In October, The Herald newspaper in Zimbabwe reported that Madam Boss testified in a separate court case about her involvement with the controversial Ponzi scheme E-Creator, which allegedly defrauded victims of over US$300,000 (more than R5 million).
In her testimony, Madam Boss told the court that she was introduced to the scheme’s leadership by fellow social media personality Mama Vee. She revealed that the accused, Jao Zhao Jiatong and William Chui, sought her services to promote their investment company through Facebook advertisements.
Sivechere flaunted a glamorous lifestyle on social media platforms, frequently appearing alongside well-known personalities — including in a now widely circulated photograph with Madam Boss and her associates at a Diamond Migration office in Midrand.
Victims say these images contributed to the perception that Diamond Migration was reputable and well connected.
As more victims come forward from across South Africa, critics argue that influencer endorsement has become a powerful tool for recruitment — particularly for young Africans seeking opportunities abroad.
Many complainants told IOL they were already vulnerable due to unemployment, limited legal pathways for migration and pressure to support families.
The Botswana Police Service stated that their investigation into Sivechere is ongoing, with additional charges likely to follow. In South Africa, victims report difficulty opening cases, with some alleging they were turned away by local police stations. _*NewZimbabwe*_
