Update on Fraud Case Involving Diamond Migration Director

A 29-year-old Zimbabwean national, Vecco Lupa, also known as Evans Sivechere, is facing serious fraud charges in Botswana. Lupa, the director of Diamond Migration (PTY) Ltd, is accused of defrauding 11 people of more than P240,000 (US$17,800) through fake overseas job offers and fake work permits.

Attempt to Downgrade Case to Civil Matter Fails

A well-known socialite reportedly arranged a lawyer to represent Lupa. The lawyer appeared in court and tried to argue that the matter should be treated as a civil dispute, not a criminal case.

However, Botswana prosecutors rejected the request, stating that they already have strong evidence pointing to deliberate fraud. The lawyer was also unaware of several complaints already collected by investigators.

Police Evidence Strengthens Fraud Charges

Prosecutors told the defence team that the case could not be transferred to a civil court due to the nature of the allegations.

When police asked Lupa to provide the name of anyone he had successfully processed a visa for, he mentioned only one woman from his WhatsApp groups.
She was called in for questioning and confirmed that she never received any visa. She went on to file her own police report and presented a Serbian work permit that Lupa had given her.

Investigations later confirmed that:

The Serbian permit was fake

Serbia has not been issuing work permits to Zimbabweans or Botswana nationals for some time

The fake document has been added to the official evidence in the case

Key Witness: Kelly’s Cooperation

A Botswana citizen known as Kelly, who had assisted Lupa in opening another Diamond Migration branch in Botswana, has become a key witness.
Although she was the first to be arrested, she secured an agreement with the police to help them track down the main suspect.

Police instructed her to continue communicating with Lupa. She told him that new clients wanted to travel to Ireland but she could not deposit their money because she believed his bank account was being monitored due to earlier fraud allegations.

How Lupa Was Arrested

After hearing that money was waiting for him in Botswana, Lupa flew into the country. Police arrested him immediately upon arrival at Sir Seretse Khama International Airport.

Current Status of the Case

The matter has been postponed to 15 December.
Lupa’s lawyer is reportedly shocked by the number of allegations and has asked for more time to prepare the defence. Police have also seized all documents and stationery from Lupa’s office, which are now part of the evidence.