BY BRENDA NCUBE
Police in Harare have arrested four NetOne employees after conniving to swindle the telecommunications company airtime worth over over $565 million.
Through internal investigations, police revealed that a total of $565 999 964 worth of airtime was stolen from December 3, 2022 to January 19 this year.
They have been charged with fraud and cybercrime.
“The Zimbabwe Republic Police confirms the arrest of Primrose Maireti (32) , James Mwanza (35) Kumbulani Nyapfumbi (30) and Simbarashe Mandimutsira (27) for stealing pin-less credit airtime from NetOne Cellular and then sell it at a higher discount than the company to dealers, “police said in a statement.
Police detectives teamed up with NetOne Loss Control and Fraud Management Unit to track the suspects leading to the arrest of Mwanza.
“Checks made confirmed that Mwanza received ZW$50 000 000 worth of pin-less airtime from the deal,” police said.
“He implicated Maireti and others.”
“NetOne employees were sharing the loot with the airtime dealers,” police added.
Police said they have since recovered a Honda Fit motor vehicle registration number AFW 6813 from Nyapfumbi, who bought the vehicle from the crime.
Investigations also revealed that he bought a residential stand for US$11 000 and another Honda Fit vehicle chassis number GE6-1744428 for US$3,971 which is on its way from Japan.
Police said they will ensure that company employees and their accomplices face the full wrath of the law for fraudulent activities.