A brazen mining scam has left a 52-year-old man out of pocket by a staggering US$262,268.36, after a 38-year-old suspect, Liu Jiani Yu, appeared before the Harare Magistrates Court facing fraud charges.
The complainant, Liu Xinyan ,52, alleges that Yu and an accomplice, Pei Rejian, misrepresented that they possessed the necessary mining permits to operate at Angwa River in Karoi between April and July 2025.
Relying on their misrepresentation, Liu Xinyan reportedly paid RMB 617,860 (equivalent to US$87,268.36) and US$40,000 in cash, and also provided assets worth US$135,000, including a Toyota Hilux, a generator, a water pump, and a separation machine.
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The alleged scam came to light when the complainant discovered that the accused had hired, rather than purchased, an excavator using his funds.
The total prejudice amounts to US$262,268.36, with no recovery made to date.
Yu is expected to return to court on October 29, 2025.
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