Crimes and Courts
BULAWAYO \u2013 Two city residents have been sentenced to prison for fraud after being convicted of selling the same residential stand to two different buyers in a sophisticated scam that duped a victim out of US$13,500.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Henessy Dube (46) and Flora Moyo (45) were handed custodial sentences this week by Bulawayo Regional Magistrate Mark Dzira following their conviction on fraud charges.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Deceptive Scheme Unravels<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The court heard that the pair sold a Highmount residential stand that had already been legally purchased in 2022 for US$17,000 by another buyer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Using falsified documents, the accused convinced a second buyer that the property was still available, even providing a fraudulent agreement of sale and receipts. The scam collapsed when the new buyer attempted to take possession of the stand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“The complainant only discovered the fraud when he tried to develop the stand and found it had already been sold,” said prosecutor Nokuthaba Ngwenya during sentencing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Sentences Handed Down<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Dube received a seven-year prison term, with three years suspended (one for good behavior and two conditional on restitution). He will serve an effective four years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Moyo was sentenced to seven years with four years suspended for good behavior, leaving her with an effective three-year jail term.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“This was a calculated deception that caused significant financial harm,” Magistrate Dzira said in his ruling.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“The courts must send a strong message against property fraud.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Warning to Property Buyers<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The case has prompted warnings from real estate professionals about verifying property ownership.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“Buyers must conduct due diligence through the Deeds Office before purchasing any property,” advised Bulawayo estate agent Thabani Ndlovu.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“These scams are becoming more sophisticated.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The convicted pair have begun serving their sentences at Khami Prison while authorities continue investigating whether they may have been involved in other fraudulent property deals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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