Two Men Jailed for Defrauding Mobile Money Agent out of US$300

Two men have been sentenced to nine months in prison after duping a mobile money agent out of US$300 using a fake cash-out confirmation.

How the Scam Played Out
According to National Prosecuting Authority of Zimbabwe (NPAZ), Brian Potedzerai, 45, and Thulani Dhlamini, 30, approached a mobile money shop in Gweru’s central business district on 6 November 2025. They presented a message that appeared to confirm a legitimate cash-out.

Believing it to be genuine, the female agent handed over US$300.

“The offenders presented a fake cash-out message, and the victim, thinking it was legitimate, handed over the money,” the NPAZ said.

Fraud Uncovered Quickly
The fraud was noticed shortly after the transaction. While serving another customer, the agent realised something was wrong and reported the incident to the police. CCTV footage helped authorities identify Potedzerai and Dhlamini.

Court Ruling
Initially sentenced to 16 months, the court suspended three months for five years and another four months on condition that the men restitute the complainant. This brought their effective jail term to nine months.

The NPAZ said the case highlights the seriousness of targeting mobile money operators and warned that such crimes would face swift prosecution.