A 68-YEAR-OLD suspected serial fraudster from Murewa appeared at the Harare Magistrates Court facing money laundering charges after allegedly defrauding complainants of US$109 000, which he used for personal expenses.
Pater Rupiya, who is already in custody on a separate fraud case, was denied bail in the fresh money laundering charge by magistrate Jessie Kufa yesterday.
Rupiya is currently detained at Harare Remand Prison in connection with fraud cases under CID CCD N/R DR18/06/24 and Harare Central CR 951/09/24.
The state alleges that between August 6, 2022 and July 22, 2024, the accused engaged in a scheme of selling State land to prospective home owners.
He allegedly misrepresenting to them that he owned a piece of land at Bromley Farm in Goromonzi.
It is alleged that Rupiya collected US$109,400 from Stanford Chabaya, Kudzai Macqurors Chimuka and Brian Chisvo as payment for the purported land.
He then allegedly used the money to build three rural houses in Gazimbi village and Mahaja village, under Chief Chikwaka in Goromonzi.
The accused is further alleged to have sold two of the houses to Bryne Kamchilala of Nyakudya Village, Goromonzi, for US$22 000 (US$11 000 each).
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He also sold one house to Joshua Munemo of Elmswood, Marondera, for US$27 000.
The court heard that on Tuesday, detectives received information that the accused was already on remand at Harare Remand Prison for fraud.
Acting on this information, added the charge of money laundering.
