Trio in court over Ponzi scheme

THREE Tongogara refugees were last week dragged to court as they are accused of duping their colleagues of US$880 in a collapsed Ponzi scheme.

Antony Nibaruta (37),Tryphine Ndayiregije (34) and Ettiene Nduwimana (28) pleaded not guilty when they appeared before Chipinge magistrate, Mr Alfred Chinembiri, facing fraud charges.

They were remanded out of custody on their cognisant to July 12 for trial.

Prosecuting, Mr Edmore Mahlanhanise said in July 2020, the complainant, Matabishe Nene (30), a Democratic Republic of Congo national residing at Tongogara Refugee Camp in Chipinge, met Nduwimana who told him of an online pyramid scheme called Crowd 1.

“Nduwimana told Nene that the scheme could multiply his money as he would get weekly bonuses of five Euros. Nene expressed interest in joining the scheme and was introduced to Nibaruta and Ndayirayigije.

“The three accused persons told the complainant that if he joined the scheme, he could get all his investments back if he opted out after three months,”said Mr Mahlanhanise.

Nene handed over to Ndayiragijea joining fee of US$360. Nene was also asked to recruit four other people with the promise of getting a ‘fear of loss bonus’.

“The complainant convinced his friends to join the Ponzi scheme under his name. He gave each of them a joining fee of US$130,”said Mr Mahlanhanise.

After the complainant paid the required amount, he was shown a Crowd 1 website where he was supposed to log in for his weekly bonuses.

“Nene tried to withdraw the money after the given time but got no joy. He approached the three accused persons and was told to be patient.

“After three months he realised that he had been duped and made a police report,” said Mr Mahlanhanise.