Fraudster targets the poor

At least 31 residents of Usarama compound in Shamva were each defrauded of US$3 by a fraudster, who misrepresented himself as a philanthropist.

Fredman Kuseka (32) appeared at the Bindura magistrate courts last Thursday facing fraud charges.

Magistrate Samantha Dhlamini remanded him in custody to February 24.

Prosecutors said on January 18, Kuseka misrepresented to the residents that he owned a charity called Emarates, which donates food to the vulnerable.

He then told the complainants to contribute US$3 each to buy fuel to transport their groceries.

He did not deliver.

On February 7, he came back to the same compound demanding cash from some of the residents, who had not paid.

The residents became suspicious and filed a police report leading to his arrest.