A 27-year-old woman from Bulawayo has lost more than $6 000 in a property scam involving a man claiming to be a housing agent.
Police are searching for Jacob Ratabwa, who allegedly sold the woman a residential plot in Upper Rangemore that belonged to someone else.
The fraud began on 21 June 2024 when Ratabwa showed the woman several plots of land, according to Acting Police Spokesperson Assistant Inspector Nomalanga Msebele.
“The victim chose a 250-square-metre stand priced at $6 250,” said Msebele. “She paid an initial deposit of $1 400 in cash, followed by further payments totalling $4 950.”
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Both parties signed a sales agreement, but when the woman visited the plot in January 2025, she found a foundation had already been dug.
A neighbour informed her that the land belonged to someone living in South Africa. When contacted, the true owner confirmed this.
“The victim approached Ratabwa for an explanation but received no satisfactory response,” Msebele said.
Police say none of the money has been recovered.
They are urging the public to verify property agents’ credentials before making any payments.
“We appeal to anyone with information that could lead to Ratabwa’s arrest to come forward,” said Msebele.
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