Fraudsters Steal $565 Million Worth Of NetOne Airtime

Police have arrested four suspects for fraud and cybercrime after they allegedly stole NetOne airtime worth more than ZWL$560 million from the telecoms company.

National police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi said police detectives worked with the NetOne Loss Control and Fraud Management Unit to nab the suspects. Said Asst Comm Nyathi:

The Zimbabwe Republic Police confirms the arrest of Primrose Maireti (32), James Mwanza (35), Kumbulani Nyapfumbi (30) and Simbarashe Mandimutsira (27) for allegedly stealing pin-less credit airtime from NetOne Cellular (Private) Limited and then sell it at a higher discount than the company to dealers.

Police detectives teamed up with NetOne Loss Control and Fraud Management Unit to track the suspects leading to the arrest of James Mwanza.

Checks made confirmed that James Mwanza received ZWL50 000 000.00 worth of pin-less airtime from the deal. He implicated Primrose Maireti and others.

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The Zimbabwe Republic Police has established that a total of ZWL565 999 964.00 worth of airtime was stolen from 3rd December 2022 to 19th January 2023. NetOne employees were sharing the loot with the airtime dealers.

Police has since recovered a Honda Fit motor vehicle registration number AFW 6813 from Kumbulani Nyapfumbi, which was bought through the loot.

Investigations have also revealed that he bought a residential stand for USD11 000.00 and another Honda Fit vehicle chassis number GE6-1744428 for USD3 971.00. The vehicle is on its way from Japan.

The Zimbabwe Republic Police will ensure that company employees and their accomplices face the full wrath of the law for fraudulent activities.