Botched car deal lands man in court

A 34-YEAR-OLD man appeared in court facing fraud charges involving more than US$3 000.

Kandemwa Elvis was denied bail when he appeared before Harare magistrate Dennis Mangosi and he will be back in court today for bail consideration.

The State led by Zebedia Bofu said sometime in November last year, Elvis approached the complainant saying he was selling a car.

The complainant lost interest after seeing the state it was in.

Allegations are that on December 8, Elvis’ accomplice approached the same complainant with a better car, which he was selling for US$3 200.

After an agreement, the accomplice drove to Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals where he said the registration book was.

He further told the complainant that the previous owner of the car was owed money for the car and required the balance to release the registration book.

When they arrived, the complainant gave the money to Elvis’ accomplice who went inside, leaving the complainant outside.

After a while, the accomplice then called the complainant inside the building to sign an agreement of sale.

When the complainant went inside, Elvis’ accomplice jumped into the car and drove off.

The complainant realised that he had been duped and screamed for help to no avail.

The man was arrested when he used the same modus operandi to dupe another complainant.

During investigations, he revealed that he only got US$800 and the rest of the money was taken by Elvis who shared it with his accomplices, who are still at large.

This led to Elvis’ arrest.