A 36-YEAR-OLD Harare man this week appeared in court facing two fraud charges and contravening the Money Laundering and Proceeds of Crime Act after he allegedly duped two complainants of over US$11 000 in a bogus visa processing scam.
Crispen Zhou, of Block C at Friendship High School in Hatcliffe, appeared before Harare magistrate Ruth Moyo accused of misrepresenting himself as a travel consultant capable of securing Ireland working visas and employment opportunities.
Appearing for the State, Nomsa Kangara alleged that Zhou committed the offences between January and March this year, targeting parents desperate to secure overseas employment opportunities for their children.
In the first count, Zhou allegedly convinced a woman, employed as a teacher at Dzivarasekwa Barracks Primary School, that he could facilitate a working visa and employment for her son.
The complainant, who had been referred to Zhou via a Facebook advertisement, transferred US$5 147 into his FBC Bank account in instalments.
Zhou signed an affidavit acknowledging receipt of the funds.
However, the visa turned out to be fake, leading to the deportation of Lovemore Junior from Ireland.
Attempts to engage Zhou failed as he became evasive.
- Too young to marry: The secret world of child brides
- New law answers exhumations and reburials question in Zim
- Accident, piracy affected my career: Zembe
- Kim Jayde revels in SA award nomination
Keep Reading
In the second count, the complainant, Victor Simbarashe, was similarly duped after he paid US$6 000 to Zhou under the same pretext, also transferring the funds into the accused’s bank account.
Again, Zhou acknowledged receipt of the money through a signed affidavit, but failed to deliver the promised documents.
Repeated follow-ups yielded no results.
According to the State, investigations led to Zhou’s arrest on June 22.
Zhou is facing charges of fraud under Section 136 of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act [Chapter 9:23] and contravening Section 8(1)(a) as read with Section 58(6) of the Money Laundering and Proceeds of Crime Act [Chapter 9:24].
The matter was postponed to July 3, 2025 for routine remand.
