Prominent social media personalities, Tyra Chikocho (Madam Boss) and Admire Mushambi (Mama Vee) are set to appear in court as witnesses in a case involving two Chinese nationals, Zhao Jiatong and William Chui accused of defrauding hundreds of Zimbabweans through a suspected pyramid scheme.
Zhao Jiatong and William Chui’s trial continues today before Harare Magistrate Francis Mapfumo where Chikocho and Mushambi are expected to testify in their initial appearance.
The accused pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Jiatong remains in custody while his counterpart is still at large.
In their defense, Jiatong and Chui have both denied involvement in any fraudulent activities. Jiatong told the court that he was unaware of the allegations and that his arrest came as a shock. His legal representative argued that Jiatong has limited proficiency in English and therefore could not have communicated with any of the alleged victims.
“He will testify that he had no interaction with the complainants and was unaware of any fraudulent scheme. Nothing incriminating was found on his phone or in his possession at the time of arrest,” his defense outline stated.
Chui’s defense mirrored that of Jiatong. He also denied having any contact with the complainants and maintained that no one mentioned him in their statements.
The state alleges that in January 2023, Jiatong devised a plan to deceive people through a fraudulent online investment platform. On February 7 of that year, he and unnamed associates registered a company, E-Creator Electronic Commerce [Private] Limited, under the number 2853/23, with offices located on the 10th floor of Joina City Building in Harare.
From February to July 2023, they allegedly marketed the company as a legitimate online business, promising investors high monthly returns based on the size of their contributions. Over that period, Zimbabwean investors reportedly poured in up to US$1 million, mostly via Ecocash.
To boost the credibility of the company, prosecutors claim the accused used promotional content on ZTV, social media platforms, and enlisted the help of influencers such as Madam Boss and Mama Vee. They also recruited agents in major urban areas to expand their reach.
On July 3, some investors experienced difficulties withdrawing their funds and sought answers from the company. One of the accused reportedly assured them the issues were due to a temporary system upgrade.
However, just two days later, on July 5, the company abruptly posted a message on its website announcing it had ceased operations. The website also featured a passport photo of Jiatong, claiming he had absconded with the investors’ money and returned to China.
When concerned clients visited the offices, they discovered the premises had been abandoned with no sign of ongoing business activity. According to the state, these events led to confirmed losses amounting to US$1 million, with none of the funds recovered.
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