Minister Levi Mayihlome Scammed Out of US$850
Deputy Defence Minister and Umzingwane MP Levi Mayihlome was left counting his losses after getting scammed out of US$850 in a get-rich-quick online scam.
The retired brigadier general, 71, was reportedly lured by a Facebook advertisement promising lucrative returns from “online cash trading.
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Initial Investment Lured by Familiar Name
According to a police report seen by ZimLive, Mayihlome responded to an advertisement posted by an individual identifying as Zodwa Mkandla.
Mistakenly believing the scammer to be a socialite friend with the same name, he proceeded to invest.
The scammers promised an astonishing return on investment, claiming that an initial deposit of US$200 would yield profits of 25 times that amount.
Trusting the proposition, Mayihlome transferred the initial amount at an Innbucks outlet in Borrowdale to the provided mobile number.
Promised Profits and Additional Payments
Following the initial deposit, Mayihlome was informed that he had made a profit of US$5,300. However, he was told that to access these earnings, he needed to deposit an additional US$650.
“He was later advised that he made profit of US$5,300. The complainant was advised that for him to withdraw the profits, he was supposed to deposit another US$650,” reveals the police report.
Mayihlome complied, making additional cash deposits of US$500 and US$150 to a different number registered to an individual named Austine Tafirei.
Realization of the Scam
Suspicion arose when the scammers demanded an additional payment of US$365, citing ‘inland tax revenue’ as the reason. This prompted Deputy Minister Mayihlome to report the matter to the police.
The Avondale police have since launched an investigation into the fraudulent scheme.
Social Media Reacts
Reports of Deputy Minister Mayihlome being scammed by someone impersonating businesswoman Zodwa Mkandla have set social media abuzz with reactions.
Check out some of the reactions;
@furatidzai51959;
Kkkkk anopenga uyo
A retired General anorohwa Chadonha
Nyika haina kwainoenda nevanhu vakapusa kudai
@ErikanaMbedzi;
Mashefu vanotovharikawo kusvika palevel iri. Get rich quickly? The pepertrators havana kana 5 O levels.
@stmsynde;
Ma minister arikuitawo do or die😂😂 zim ikuremera munhu wese zvayo
@Kidd0584;
Nigga should just have accepted his predicament & moved on to avoid embarrassment 😭😭😭
@lenonmundeta;
He should be fired for incompetence.
@hasanih1;
These are the same people expected to represent Zimbabwe at “high level” meetings. Would you expect such simpletons to negotiate deals that benefit Zimbabwe with savvy Chinese or Russian negotiators?
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The post Deputy Defence Minister Levi Mayihlome Scammed Out of US$850 in a Get-Rich-Quick Online Scam appeared first on iHarare News.
