Four individuals from Mutare have been charged with fraud after allegedly taking $256,426 from Polish investor Kwiakowski Marcin. Hillary Joseph Dzuda, Ashley Dzuda, Gabriel Tinashe Mapfunde, and Kudzai Garry Muricho appeared before the court to face these accusations. The case involves what prosecutors describe as a sophisticated scheme centered around false claims of gold mining operations.
According to court records, Joseph approached Marcin during a February 2024 business meeting attended by various foreign investors. Joseph portrayed himself as an established businessman with extensive interests in gold mining throughout the Penhalonga region of Mutare. These representations convinced Marcin to form a business partnership with Joseph, leading to the registration of Aurora Ventures Private Limited on September 6, 2024.
The prosecution stated that Joseph subsequently introduced Mapfunde and Ashley as business partners in the venture. Marcin provided $256,426 cash to fund mining activities at Redwing Mine based on promises that their investment would generate $1.8 million within three months. After the specified period elapsed, no returns materialized despite repeated assurances from the accused. They allegedly claimed possession of 3 kilograms of gold awaiting sale.
Evidence presented suggests Ashley sent fabricated monthly financial reports showing the full $256,426 remained available. When Marcin requested the funds be transferred to his business account on January 31, 2025, Joseph claimed he had already paid $200,000 to Tripple D Mining Syndicate for mining rights. Investigators discovered this transaction actually occurred in August 2024, not February 2025. The court heard that Muricho, acting as a legal practitioner, created false documentation confirming receipt of these funds. All defendants remain in custody until March 5 for their bail application hearing.
According to court records, Joseph approached Marcin during a February 2024 business meeting attended by various foreign investors. Joseph portrayed himself as an established businessman with extensive interests in gold mining throughout the Penhalonga region of Mutare. These representations convinced Marcin to form a business partnership with Joseph, leading to the registration of Aurora Ventures Private Limited on September 6, 2024.
The prosecution stated that Joseph subsequently introduced Mapfunde and Ashley as business partners in the venture. Marcin provided $256,426 cash to fund mining activities at Redwing Mine based on promises that their investment would generate $1.8 million within three months. After the specified period elapsed, no returns materialized despite repeated assurances from the accused. They allegedly claimed possession of 3 kilograms of gold awaiting sale.
Evidence presented suggests Ashley sent fabricated monthly financial reports showing the full $256,426 remained available. When Marcin requested the funds be transferred to his business account on January 31, 2025, Joseph claimed he had already paid $200,000 to Tripple D Mining Syndicate for mining rights. Investigators discovered this transaction actually occurred in August 2024, not February 2025. The court heard that Muricho, acting as a legal practitioner, created false documentation confirming receipt of these funds. All defendants remain in custody until March 5 for their bail application hearing.
