Fraudsters impersonate H-Metro journalists and extort victims through blackmail schemes. The criminals target individuals with threats to publish fabricated scandal stories unless payments are made. A Harare legislator recently faced such demands when a fake reporter claimed to possess damaging information about an alleged affair. The impersonator requested $500 to suppress the supposed story. The MP contacted legitimate H-Metro leadership after recognizing the extortion attempt.
Editor Robson Sharuko confirms these incidents occur frequently across the publication's coverage area. Multiple victims report similar approaches from individuals falsely representing the newspaper. The scammers follow consistent patterns by alleging they possess damaging personal information about targets. They corner victims with publication threats before demanding money to prevent story release. Sharuko emphasizes that these criminals operate independently and hold no connection to actual H-Metro staff members.
Editor Robson Sharuko confirms these incidents occur frequently across the publication's coverage area. Multiple victims report similar approaches from individuals falsely representing the newspaper. The scammers follow consistent patterns by alleging they possess damaging personal information about targets. They corner victims with publication threats before demanding money to prevent story release. Sharuko emphasizes that these criminals operate independently and hold no connection to actual H-Metro staff members.
