Econet Workers, Partner Nabbed Over EcoCash Scam

Three Econet employees, together with an alleged accomplice, have appeared in court on accusations of running a fraudulent SIM swap operation that fleeced two EcoCash account holders of US$4,485.

The suspects are Manuel Makuvise (28), Kudzanai Learnmore Taraziva (28), Kudzaishe Shadreck Chakanyuka (42), and Joshua Nyaruwashe (24). They have been charged with fraud.

According to prosecutor Garry Sengweni, the first incident occurred on April 29 when the group allegedly targeted an EcoCash account owned by Eliah Nkomo.

It is alleged that the Econet employees accessed Nkomo’s personal details and passed them on to Chakanyuka, who then produced a counterfeit identity card bearing Nkomo’s particulars but displaying his own photograph. Using this fake ID, the accused processed a SIM replacement for Nkomo’s line, effectively disabling the legitimate card and gaining full access to his EcoCash account. They allegedly siphoned US$1,946 from the account.

In a second case on May 10, the group reportedly employed the same method to compromise an EcoCash account belonging to Lynace Phiri. The accused obtained Phiri’s details, manufactured another fake ID carrying Chakanyuka’s image, and processed a SIM swap. Once in control of the account, they allegedly withdrew US$2,539.

In total, the quartet is said to have stolen US$4,485, with none of the funds recovered.

The case was postponed to September 19 for further proceedings.

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