Harare Man Swindles $81,000 in ‘Ghost Car’ Import Scam

Everisto Zhuwao

Elias Murandu, a 37-year-old resident of Crowborough North, was sentenced to an effective four-year jail term by the Harare Magistrates’ Court today after a series of high-stakes vehicle scams left his victim’s bank account $81,000 lighter and his driveway completely empty.

Murandu’s elaborate performance as a luxury car agent began in October 2023 when he promised to help Misheck Zvarivadza import a Range Rover from South Africa, a deal that eventually proved to be as real as a three-dollar bill.

The scheme started with Murandu sending glossy photos of a 2021 Range Rover, convincing Zvarivadza to part with $21,000. Like a waiter who keeps adding extras to a bill, Murandu quickly followed up with requests for an additional $6,000 for a supposed price hike and $1,900 for fuel.

Apparently feeling that one imaginary car was not enough, the fraudster later “sold” the victim a Toyota Hilux Legend for $24,000 and a Toyota Fortuner for $23,000. By the time the dust settled, Zvarivadza had paid for a small fleet of vehicles that only existed in his WhatsApp gallery.

The theatrics reached a peak when Murandu claimed he had driven the vehicles to the Beitbridge Border Post and was simply waiting for duty clearance. However, the cars never crossed the Limpopo, and the only thing that moved was Murandu himself, who became increasingly elusive as his victim began asking uncomfortable questions.

Following a police report and a swift investigation, the game of hide-and-seek ended with his arrest and subsequent conviction for fraud.

The court originally handed down a six-year sentence but suspended two years on condition of good behaviour and restitution. Murandu will now spend the next four years reflecting on his career as a fictional car salesman from the confines of a prison cell.

While the victim is still waiting for his money or his vehicles, the National Prosecuting Authority has used the case to remind the public that if a deal for three luxury cars seems too good to be true, it is probably being sold by someone like Mr Murandu.