A FAKE doctor, who allegedly posed as a victim of Berven Capital Ponzi scheme before duping real victims of large amounts of money, was yesterday arraigned before the courts after being arrested by Interpol in August last year.
Shepherd Chibaya was apprehended in the United Arab Emirates and extradited to Zimbabwe after he allegedly fleeced victims of Berven Capital Ponzi scheme of US$100 000.
Chibaya pleaded not guilty when he appeared before magistrate Francis Mapfumo.
He is being represented by Admire Rubaya.
Chibaya allegedly masqueraded as a doctor and faked his death.
He was issued with a warrant of arrest in March last year after he defaulted court and was arrested in Abu Dhabi.
Chibaya allegedly defrauded three people — Mary Norah Chiweshe, Stanley Joy Mashiri and Saimon Tawanda Mtandwa — of more than US$105 000 in the aftermath of the 2021 Berven Capital Ponzi scheme.
According to court papers, scores of people were lured into depositing money with promises of a 50% return within six weeks.
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When the scheme collapsed, victims were desperate to recover their savings.
Chibaya exploited the situation by pretending to be a victim as well, positioning himself as leader of a victims’ group.
He allegedly formed a group in which he pretended to help the victims to recover their money and was subsequently selected to be chairperson.
The court heard that in 2020, Chibaya approached Chiweshe and misrepresented to her that he could assist her to recover her money.
He allegedly made her believe that US$200 000 was available from her investment, but he needed US$58 000 to be paid to the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (Zimra) which was refundable.
Chiweshe allegedly raised the money and gave it to Chibaya believing that she was dealing with a professional.
It is alleged that after a few days, Chibaya went on to misrepresent to Chiweshe that the money had been released by Zimra, but he had been intercepted by police detectives who wanted US$13 000 to release the money.
She handed the cash to Chibaya, who promised to bring her money that day.
While Chiweshe was waiting for her money, Chibaya lied to her that he had been arrested by a police officer for failing to pay his debt of US$1 800.
Chibaya allegedly used another WhatsApp account and purported as if he was the police officer who had arrested him and wanted his money in order to release him.
He directed Chiweshe to give the money to taxi driver Innocent Kavhura.
Kavhura was given US$1 780.
Chibaya demanded a further US$3 200 which was allegedly supposed to be paid to a lawyer for his release and Chiweshe managed to pay the amount.
Chiweshe paid an additional US$27 000 for the purported release of her money until Chibaya became evasive.
Mashiri paid US$850 towards the recovery of his US$3 200, but Chibaya became evasive after receiving the money.
Mutandwa allegedly paid US$2 000 towards the recovery of his US$30 000.
Chiweshe testified before magistrate Mapfumo, narrating how Chibaya conned her of her money.
The matter was postponed to June 17 for continuation.
Heather Muokoto appeared for the State.
