NetOne Cellular (Pvt) Ltd was defrauded by a bogus dealer who registered multiple SIM cards using the identities of unsuspecting customers. This elaborate scheme resulted in NetOne losing over US$1.3 million in revenue.
Details of the Alleged Crime by Bogus Dealer
According to court documents, Denhere worked in collaboration with an unidentified individual who owned a SIM box. This individual is still at large. Together, they operated a network that involved purchasing and reselling NetOne SIM cards and airtime.
Between June 2022 and March 2023, Denhere allegedly sourced NetOne SIM cards from various NetOne outlets, including Eastgate, Westgate, Kamfinsa, NetOne headquarters, and Kopje Plaza in Harare.
He then fraudulently registered 36 SIM cards under the names of different customers without their knowledge. These SIM cards were activated and handed over to the SIM box owner, who used them to bypass legitimate international call services and divert revenue from NetOne.
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How the Fraud Was Discovered
The fraud came to light during an internal audit conducted by NetOne. Upon discovering the irregularities, the company immediately launched an investigation. On February 5, 2025, NetOne reported the matter to the police.
Munyaradzi Hove, the company’s Fraud Management Manager, represented NetOne during the proceedings. The audit revealed that the company suffered a substantial financial loss of US$1,337,488.92. Unfortunately, none of the stolen funds have been recovered so far.
Legal Proceedings and Investigation
When Denhere appeared before Harare regional magistrate Marewanazvo Gofa, he was not asked to enter a plea. The investigation is still ongoing, and authorities are working to locate and apprehend the SIM box owner, who remains at large.
This case serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities within the telecommunications sector and the importance of robust security measures to prevent similar incidents.
