Two women from Mutare received prison sentences after stealing money from their workplace for a failed internet investment scheme. Progress Muzite and Winfilder Dangarembizi must serve five months behind bars unless they pay back the stolen funds. The court found both women guilty of fraud under criminal law. Magistrate Tendai Mahwe heard their case at Mutare provincial court. Each woman owes $750 to their former employer.
Muzite worked as an EcoCash agent handling digital money transfers for customers. She took $1,500 from company funds on June 16 and sent the money to phone numbers that Dangarembizi provided. The theft came to light during daily accounting procedures that revealed missing cash. Investigators discovered Muzite had transferred three separate amounts of $500 each without receiving any physical money back. Company officials reported the shortage to police.
Dangarembizi told the court she had asked Muzite for a loan to invest in an online money-making opportunity. She explained that a male partner was supposed to handle their investment but disappeared with all their cash. The defendant said she never planned to steal from anyone and believed the internet scheme would make them money. Her partner vanished before returning any profits from the venture. The court rejected her defense and convicted both women of theft.
The judge suspended their jail sentences on condition that each woman repays $750 to the company they defrauded. Court officials emphasized that the crime involved breaking trust and serious financial wrongdoing. The women can avoid prison time if they make full restitution to their victim. Their case highlights dangers of unregulated online investment schemes. Many people lose money to similar fraudulent operations across the country.
Muzite worked as an EcoCash agent handling digital money transfers for customers. She took $1,500 from company funds on June 16 and sent the money to phone numbers that Dangarembizi provided. The theft came to light during daily accounting procedures that revealed missing cash. Investigators discovered Muzite had transferred three separate amounts of $500 each without receiving any physical money back. Company officials reported the shortage to police.
Dangarembizi told the court she had asked Muzite for a loan to invest in an online money-making opportunity. She explained that a male partner was supposed to handle their investment but disappeared with all their cash. The defendant said she never planned to steal from anyone and believed the internet scheme would make them money. Her partner vanished before returning any profits from the venture. The court rejected her defense and convicted both women of theft.
The judge suspended their jail sentences on condition that each woman repays $750 to the company they defrauded. Court officials emphasized that the crime involved breaking trust and serious financial wrongdoing. The women can avoid prison time if they make full restitution to their victim. Their case highlights dangers of unregulated online investment schemes. Many people lose money to similar fraudulent operations across the country.
