A SCAMMERS is on the prowl impersonating Zimbabwe’s former ambassador to South Africa, David Hamadziripi, to extort unsuspecting victims, the Foreign Affairs ministry has warned.
Hamadziripi is currently the Zimbabwean ambassador to the United States.
In a statement, ministry spokesperson Philisiwe Chidawanyika said the scammer targeted several people, including high-profile individuals in Zimbabwe, by falsely claiming to be Hamadziripi and alleging to be in distress.
She said the impostor approached victims on the pretext of seeking urgent financial assistance.
According to the ministry, the scammer has been contacting victims via WhatsApp using a South African mobile number.
“He or she has been using the mobile number +27 67 213 3253 to contact victims through WhatsApp,” Chidawanyika said.
“The public is advised to take note that Ambassador Hamadziripi is no longer based in South Africa and has ceased to use telephone numbers with the +27 country code.”
She added that government had verified the ambassador’s status and safety.
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“The ministry confirms that the ambassador is well and safe at his new duty station,” Chidawanyika said.
The ministry urged the public to exercise caution when engaging through digital platforms, particularly when approached for money in the name of government officials or diplomats.
Chidawanyika encouraged people to verify communication purportedly coming from the ministry or Zimbabwe’s embassies abroad through official channels.
“Any communication concerning the ministry and its embassies abroad should be verified through the directorate for public diplomacy, communication and advocacy,” she stated.
She said the ministry would continue to engage relevant authorities as it moved to protect the public from fraudulent activities carried out in the name of Zimbabwe’s diplomatic offices.
