Three potential Israeli diamond buyers and two Zimbabweans were allegedly swindled of $20 000 by a 20-year-old Borrowdale man in a botched up diamond purchasing deal.
Eric Joel Nhodza was not asked to plead when he appeared before Harare magistrate Donald Ndirowei facing a charge of fraud yesterday.
He was remanded to August 24 on $200 bail and as part of his bail conditions, Nhodza was ordered to report twice every week at CID Minerals, reside at the given address and not to interfere with State witnesses.
However, Nhodza’s suspected accomplice Bernard Wamambo, is reportedly at large.
According to State papers, Sandy Chikhosi — the complainant in the matter — approached her friend Bret Bradely Buckley, the director of Corpsky investment, for information pertaining to purchase of diamonds in Zimbabwe.
It is alleged Chikhosi wanted to relay the information to potential diamond buyers in Israel. After gathering the said information from Buckley, Chikhosi reportedly met the Israelis on July 13, in Harare.
She then allegedly contacted Buckley and the foreigners gave him all the necessary papers required for them to view and purchase the diamonds before returning to Israel.
On an unknown date, Buckley met Wamambo at Minerals Marketing Corporation of Zimbabwe. Wamambo is alleged to have indicated he could facilitate the smooth processing of viewing and purchasing of diamonds.
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On July 21, the three Israelis returned to Zimbabwe and were allegedly approached by Nhodza who was in the company of three others.
They allegedly masqueraded as agents and promised to facilitate viewing and purchasing of diamonds at Mbada Diamonds.
It is alleged they asked the Israelis, Chikhosi and Buckley to pay $20 000 to speed up the process.
The State alleges the money was paid on July 24 to Wamambo who shared it with his accomplices, but the diamonds were never purchased prompting Chikhosi to report the case, leading to Nhodza’s arrest.
