Harare Fraudster Sentenced to Four Years for US$81,000 Vehicle Import Scam
A 37-year-old Harare man has been jailed after swindling a victim of over US$81,000 through a sophisticated vehicle importation scheme involving non-existent luxury SUVs and double-cab trucks.
Delicious Mathuthu 
Harare - A Crowborough North man will spend the next four years in prison after being convicted of defrauding a local car seeker of more than US$81,000 in a vehicle importation scheme that spanned several months.
Elias Murandu (37) was sentenced by the Harare Magistrates Court following a series of fraudulent transactions that began in late 2023.
The court heard that Murandu targeted Misheck Zvarivadza by masquerading as a professional vehicle clearing and procurement agent capable of facilitating imports from South Africa.
The elaborate deception began in October 2023 when Zvarivadza expressed interest in acquiring a Range Rover.
Court papers say Murandu reportedly provided photographs of a 2021 model and secured an initial payment of US$21,000.
He later extracted an additional US$6,000 by claiming price increases, along with US$1,900 purportedly for fuel costs.
As the scheme escalated in January 2024, Murandu convinced the victim to pay US$24,000 for a Toyota Hilux Legend double cab and a further US$23,000 for a Toyota Fortuner, under the pretense that the latter could be resold locally for a significant profit.
"The offender also persuaded the victim to buy a Toyota Fortuner for USD23,000 and promised that he could resell it locally for a profit," the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) stated.
To maintain the ruse, Murandu claimed he had successfully driven the vehicles to the Beitbridge Border Post, where he alleged they were parked awaiting duty clearance.
However, no vehicles were ever delivered.
When Zvarivadza attempted to follow up on the status of his fleet, Murandu became elusive, leading the victim to report the matter to the police.
"No vehicles were delivered and the fraudster, who became elusive, was eventually arrested by police after the matter was reported," the NPA confirmed.
The court initially handed down a six-year prison sentence. One year was suspended on the standard condition of future good behavior, while a second year was suspended on the condition that Murandu provides full restitution to the victim.
Consequently, Murandu is effectivey set to serve a four-year term behind bars.
