Story by Parvel Makona
LAW enforcement authorities are investigating more than 130 suspected fraud cases amid a growing wave of online and financial scams that are disproportionately affecting vulnerable groups, particularly the elderly.
Police say cybercriminals are exploiting digital platforms through phishing messages, counterfeit shopping applications, fake customer-care numbers and imposter texts aimed at extracting one-time passwords (OTPs), security codes used by banks and mobile payment platforms to authenticate transactions.
Once compromised, these codes allow criminals to gain unauthorised access to victims’ bank accounts, digital wallets and social media profiles, often resulting in immediate financial losses.
Concern is mounting among citizens as the scams spread, with several victims reporting being deceived through online marketplaces and social media platforms.
“I was scammed when I was selling my console machine on Facebook through a fake WorldRemit,” said one victim, describing how a fraudulent payment notification was used to lure him into releasing his product.
Other residents have urged greater caution when conducting online transactions, warning that criminals are increasingly mimicking well-known global brands.
“People are being scammed through fake apps similar to Amazon and Alibaba, among many others. So there is a need for caution when handling transactions online,” said one concerned citizen.
“People need to be aware when using social media. They need to block unknown users and adverts and be able to verify messages,” another added.
Financial institutions and mobile network operators have since stepped up public awareness campaigns, warning customers against sharing personal details, passwords and OTPs with unknown individuals or platforms.
Police have confirmed that 136 cases are currently under investigation by the Criminal Investigation Department’s Commercial Crime Division.
“Zimbabwe Republic Police is conducting investigations. As of last week, we had almost 136 cases which were being investigated by the Criminal Investigation Department’s Commercial Crime Division,” said police spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi.
“We have also partnered with service providers, the cellphone companies, to conduct awareness campaigns and alert the public. We want the public to be very cautious when they receive some of these social media messages and to confirm with relevant authorities before conducting online transactions or responding to online offers,” he said.
Commissioner Nyathi further urged the public to protect sensitive personal information.
“We also call upon the public to safeguard their personal information, including their OTPs and phone passwords,” he added.
Zimbabwe has previously witnessed the rise of large-scale scams, including schemes commonly referred to as “chadonha” and various Ponzi operations, reinforcing concerns that evolving digital fraud poses a growing threat to public trust and financial security.
