14-Year Friendship Turns to Fraud: Dropstech Director Defrauded of US$340K by Best Friend

Tatenda Guruva, a 30-year-old man, has been arrested for allegedly defrauding his best friend of 14 years of a staggering US$340K. Guruva defrauded Blessing Mudambanuki, a director at Dropstech Irrigation Company.

Best Friend’ Deception and Misrepresentation

In March last year, Guruva approached Mudambanuki and misrepresented that he had a company called Vegetas Brands, which was contracted by Anotipa Enterprises, a subsidiary of Spar shops, to supply vegetables and fruits. He then offered Mudambanuki a chance to bail him out with money, claiming his business was struggling due to lack of funds.

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Misplaced Trust and Unfulfilled Promises

Motivated to help his best friend, Mudambanuki agreed to inject US$340,000 between March and December last year. He hoped to earn a 30% profit per month. However, Guruva allegedly became evasive and supplied false information to deceive Madambanuki. He then created fake proof of payment and electronic mails purported to be from Spar Anotipa Enterprises.

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Exposed Fraud Leads to Police Intervention

The court heard that the offence came to light when Mudambanuki approached Spar’s chief finance officer, who confirmed that they owed Vegetas Brands only US$466. Mudambanuki then confronted Guruva, who allegedly gave an unsatisfactory explanation before the matter was reported to the police. Guruva was subsequently arrested. The total amount Mudambanuki was defrauded of was US$340K. Unfortunately, none of the stolen funds have been recovered.

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Charges and Court Proceedings

Guruva appeared before Harare Regional Magistrate Marehwanazvo Gofa, facing fraud charges. He was released on US$200 bail and advised to return to court on August 23 for routine remand.

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