Police in Bulawayo have urged people who may have fallen victim to an alleged accommodation scam to come forward after the arrest of a man accused of defrauding house-seekers through a WhatsApp channel.
Bulawayo police spokesperson Inspector Nomalanga Msebele said police had arrested Gift Elvis Ndlovu, also known as Solo, of Killarney, in connection with alleged fraud cases.
Msebele said Ndlovu allegedly posed as an accommodation agent and used a WhatsApp channel called “Accommodation in Bulawayo” to target prospective tenants.
“He would act as an accommodation agent also having a WhatsApp Channel namely Accommodation in Bulawayo where he will waylay his victims,” Msebele said.
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According to Msebele, prospective tenants were allegedly asked to pay US$20 as an agent or viewing fee through EcoCash numbers 0787244421 and 0789344259.
“Once you deposit $20 for agent fee or viewing fee in his EcoCash number 0787244421 and 0789344259 he will either block you or make you believe that something is happening until you lose hope,” she said.
Msebele said police were concerned that some victims might not have reported the alleged scams because of the relatively small amount involved.
“Because of the small value of $20 people tend not to report such cases,” she said.
She urged anyone who may have been affected to report the matter at ZRP Khumalo, Office 68.
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