Card cloner remains in custody

Zim Now Writer

Magistrate Farai Gwitima on Wednesday denied an application for discharge by a suspected card cloner who produced a duplicate card of a Kyle Preparatory School bank card and used it to buy groceries and other items, depriving the institution of ZWL$1 756 000.

Fungai Chirisa, 39, of 14792 Zengeza 3 in Chitungwiza was arrested after he was captured on Closed Circuit Television taking a video of the school matron paying for school groceries at TM Pick ‘n Pay in Masvingo.

After cloning the card, Chirisa was further captured on CCTV buying ZWL$796 779.70 worth of goods at N. Richards and Chingwanga Shop at Nyika, Bikita as well as four other different shops in Mutare.

Chirisa, who is being charged with unauthorised use and possession of the credit or debit card, was remanded in custody and the case will continue on January 10, 2023.

Godknows Mugondo, prosecuting, told the court that between May 10 and 12, 2022 Kyle Prep lost ZWL$ 1 756 000 after their e-card was cloned.

On May 10, the card was given to the school matron, Lucy Mukono by the Bursar, Edfani Singadi to purchase groceries for the school.

She swiped for cheese worth ZWL$13 699-14 at TM Pick ‘n Pay and went back to school where she handed back the card to Singadi.

At 4 pm the same day, Chirisa and his alleged accomplice Arthur Magungamoyo, who is still at large, duplicated the card and used to swipe for goods worth ZWL$346 779.70 at N Richards Nyika and ZWL$450 000 in Chingwanga Shop at Nyika.

On May 12, 2022 the accused duo allegedly swiped ZWL$18 240 at Mutigwe Adoni Hobhouse, ZWL$440 at Chicken Inn in Chitepo, ZWL$357 500 at Mutemi Investment as well as ZWL$ 1 880 at Tembwe Chicken Inn in Mutare.

On May 12, Kyle Prep reported the matter after the card showed that it had insufficient funds.

Police investigations led to the CCTV footage at Pick ‘n Pay and detectives observed Chirisa and his accomplice as prime suspects.

Magungamoyo is seen in the footage, taking a video with his phone to capture card information while following closely behind the Kyle Preparatory School matron. The accused duo was monitored on the CCTV entering a blue Honda Fit registration number AEI 4979.

They were also observed on CCTV at outlets at Nyika and Mutare shops CCTV swiping with the duplicate.

Nothing was recovered.

The CCTV footage and the mini laptop which was used to clone the card will be produced as evidence.