Mvurwi Tobacco Farmer Scammed US$4,000 By A Fake “Chatunga Mugabe” Facebook Account
A 48-year-old tobacco farmer from Mvurwi, Channel Charuma, was defrauded of US$4,000 by a scammer impersonating Bellarmine Chatunga Mugabe on Facebook shortly after a high-profile court ruling in early 2026.
According to Charuma, he had been communicating with the individual for some time, believing him to be the real Chatunga.
Their conversations reportedly revolved around farming opportunities, with the impersonator promising to allocate him a large, unused farm in Darwendale.
“Ndaigara ndichitaura naChatunga iyeyu paFacebook kudzamara andipa number dzake tichikurukura zvekurima uye aindivimbisa kundipa purazi hombe raaiti haashandise kuDarwindale. Saka nguva nenguva ndaimbomutumira Data nemari dzefuel paaiti akufambira mapepa…” Charuma said.
The scammer allegedly maintained contact even during the period when the real Chatunga was under arrest, claiming he still had access to his phone and social media accounts due to being treated as a “VVIP prisoner.” He further misled Charuma by stating that South African President Cyril Ramaphosa had personally visited to ensure his well-being.
Following the court ruling, Charuma said he contacted the number he believed belonged to Chatunga. The impersonator reportedly sounded distressed and claimed he urgently needed money to pay a court fine.
“Akanditi mwana wamai mabanks ekuno atovhara saka handikwanisi kubhadhara fine asi kana uine $5 000 ndiisirewo paEcocash ndoskokupa kuZimbabwe ndanotora yandakasiya ndakiira musafe paBlue Roof,” he said.
Charuma managed to raise and send US$4,000, which he was instructed to transfer to a supposed lawyer identified as Zivanai Munatsi. He was promised that he would be reimbursed upon the individual’s return to Zimbabwe, along with an additional reward.
However, the anticipated meeting never materialised. Charuma later discovered he had been blocked from further communication, and his attempts to follow up proved futile.
The victim reportedly experienced severe emotional distress following the incident but has since decided to speak out in order to raise awareness about online fraud.
Authorities continue to warn members of the public to exercise caution when engaging with individuals on social media, particularly in matters involving financial transactions.
