Three Zimbabweans Arrested for Alleged Investment Fraud in India

Three Zimbabwean nationals were arrested by Kolkata Police for allegedly defrauding a Tollygunge resident of over ₹1 crore in an investment scam involving kola nuts. They impersonated officials from WHO and a pharmaceutical company to lure their victim. Following the transfer of funds, the suspects went dark, leading to a police complaint and subsequent investigation.

In a significant crackdown, Kolkata Police apprehended three Zimbabwean nationals—Tinashe Gadzikwa Praise, 22, Malvern Matungamire, 25, and Nyamhunga Lenon Kudakwashe, 23—on charges of investment fraud. The suspects were taken into custody from various apartments in Kharar, Mohali, where they had been residing for some time. This operation unfolded on Saturday and is linked to an impressive swindle exceeding ₹1 crore involving a local resident from Tollygunge.

According to police reports, the trio employed dubious tactics to lure Sandip Guha, the victim, under the guise of investment opportunities in kola nuts. They assured him of handsome returns, skillfully fabricating fake email IDs, WhatsApp accounts, as well as forging letterheads from the World Health Organization (WHO) and a major UK pharmaceutical company to enhance their credibility. A senior police official explained the scheme’s elaborate nature, highlighting the use of official impersonation to gain trust.

Kola nuts, sourced from kola trees in Africa’s tropical rainforests, are recognized for their caffeine-rich properties, which generate interest in health markets. Investigators revealed that the suspects convinced Guha that it was a golden opportunity to invest, claiming a surge in global pharmaceutical demand for kola nuts. They further enticed him with claims that even the WHO was exploring potential health benefits of these nuts.

Once Guha transferred a substantial ₹1 crore to the defendants’ bank accounts, the suspects disappeared, cutting off all communication. This abrupt cessation prompted Guha to realize he had been scammed, compelling him to file a police complaint on May 20.

The cyber police promptly launched a case under the Information Technology Act and initiated a thorough investigation. Officers scrutinized transaction details and followed the money trail to trace the suspects to Punjab. A dedicated team from Kolkata Police was dispatched to the state to execute the arrests. Following their capture, authorities seized six mobile phones, a laptop, and bank documents from the trio’s apartment during the operation.

The arrest of the three Zimbabwean individuals marks a crucial step in addressing investment fraud in India. Their sophisticated tactics, including the use of forged documents and impersonation of health officials, demonstrate the lengths to which fraudsters will go to exploit victims. The swift action by Kolkata Police underlines the importance of vigilance in investment opportunities, as well as paves the way for further investigations into similar scams.

Original Source: www.newzimbabwe.com