A 39-year-old man, Khumbulani Sibanda, has been arrested for faking a robbery to exploit victims’ sympathy and manipulate them into giving him money.
According to Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi, Sibanda reported a fake robbery incident to the police in Mutoko, claiming he had been robbed of US$287,000.
Sibanda allegedly approached several business people, private security companies, and property owners, claiming he had a large amount of cash and wanted to buy residential and business premises in Harare.
He even went as far as hiring private security companies for cash-in-transit services, despite not having any money.
Sibanda contacted a Mutoko business owner, expressing interest in buying his garage in Adbennie for US$900,000. He later claimed he had been robbed of the cash.
By fabricating the robbery, Sibanda aimed to gain sympathy and manipulate others into providing him with funds. Police have since taken him into custody. Said Commissioner Nyathi:
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The Zimbabwe Republic Police confirms the arrest of Khumbulani Sibanda (39) for reporting a fake robbery incident to the police in Mutoko.
The suspect claimed that he was robbed of USD 287 000.00 cash and an unregistered Toyota Allion motor vehicle in Harare Central Business District on 11th December 2024 at around 1000 hours before being dumped by the suspects in Mutoko.
Investigations by the Police established that the robbery incident was false and the suspect had travelled to Mutoko by public transport after producing an identification card from a local bus company.
Upon arrival, he phoned a Mutoko business owner claiming that he wanted to buy his garage in Adbennie for USD 900 000.00. He later told the business person that he had been robbed of the money.
Further investigations by the police revealed that the suspect approached several business people, private security companies and property owners, claiming that he had a lot of cash and wanted to buy residential and business premises in Harare.
To gain credibility, the suspect initiated the sale process with some of the owners and even hired private security companies for cash-in-transit services.
The suspect’s goal in faking robbery was to exploit the victims’ sympathy and manipulate them into giving him money.
The Zimbabwe Republic Police urges the public to be cautious when dealing with individuals who promise to buy properties or make huge financial transactions.
The public should verify the authenticity of such transactions and report any suspicious activities to the police on National Complaints Desk number (0242) 703631 or WhatsApp on 0712 800 197 or report at any nearest Police Station.
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A man named Khumbulani Sibanda got arrested for lying about a robbery to trick people into giving him money. He told the police in Mutoko that he was robbed of a lot of cash and a car. Sibanda tricked business owners by saying he had money to buy properties, but it was all a lie. He even hired security companies without having any money. The police found out about his fake robbery and arrested him. They are warning people to be careful when dealing with strangers who promise big money transactions. If something seems suspicious, report it to the police.

Man Arrested For Faking Robbery To Manipulate Victims Into Giving Him Money

Police have arrested five suspects in connection with a staged armed robbery that occurred on August 4, 2024, along the Harare-Masvingo Road in the Makumimavi area of Chivhu.
According to a statement from ZRP spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi, the mastermind of the staged robbery was Richard Banda.
Banda had colluded with his relatives and colleagues to steal US$193,900 in cash and a cellphone.
Investigations revealed that Banda was the driver of the vehicle that was “robbed.” He had received information about his employer’s travel arrangements, which he used to orchestrate the staged incident. Reads the ZRP statement:
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ARREST OF FIVE SUSPECTS FOR A CASE OF ROBBERY WHICH OCCURRED AT THE 136 KILOMETRE PEG ALONG HARARE- MASVINGO ROAD AND RECOVERY OF US$100 442.00 CASH
The Zimbabwe Republic Police confirms the arrest of five suspects in connection with a stage-managed case of armed robbery which occurred on 04th August 2024 at the 136-kilometre peg along Harare-Masvingo Road, Makumimavi area, Chivhu.
The suspects, Richard Banda (23), Tawananyasha Nyengerai (21), Lionel Chipenzi (25), Harrison Chiinge (24), and Carlos Muwani (23), were arrested for stealing US$193 900.00 cash and a cellphone from a Toyota Hiace vehicle which was travelling from Bulawayo to Harare.
The vehicle was being driven by one of the suspects, Richard Banda, who was accompanied by the complainant.
The suspects posed as police officers and stopped the vehicle. They snatched a bag containing the money and cellphone before fleeing in their getaway car, a Nissan Note registration number, AGN 2303.
Investigations by detectives linked Richard Banda to the crime, leading to his arrest. He implicated his cousin, Tawananyasha Nyengerai and the other suspects, resulting in their arrest.
The arrests led to the recovery of US$100 442.00 cash.
Subsequent inquiries revealed that Richard Banda had planned the robbery incident with his relatives and colleagues after getting information from his employer on their travel arrangements.
The Police crack teams are on high alert and will ensure that all robbery syndicates and those who leak information on their employer’s financial status and movements are brought to book.
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More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Five people were arrested for pretending to rob a car on a road in Zimbabwe. The person behind the plan was a man named Richard Banda, who was also driving the car. He, along with his friends and family, stole almost $194,000 in cash and a phone. They acted like police officers and took the money and phone before running away in another car. The police caught them and got back some of the stolen money. Richard Banda had planned the whole thing by using information from his boss about their travel plans. Police are working hard to catch others involved in similar crimes.

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