A 22-year-old Chitungwiza man has appeared before the Harare Magistrates' Court facing fraud charges after allegedly operating a WhatsApp-based scheme that offered fake Zimbabwe School Examinations Council Ordinary and Advanced Level certificates to candidates who had failed examinations or had never sat for them.
Rufaro Perfect Mbofana appeared before Harare magistrate Ruth Moyo and was remanded in custody pending a bail hearing.
The complainant is ZIMSEC, represented by its Security Loss Control Manager, James Nyambonde. The State is being represented by prosecutor Takudzwa Jambawu.
The court heard that sometime around July 20, 2024, Mbofana allegedly devised a scheme to manufacture and sell fraudulent academic certificates.
According to the State, he created a WhatsApp group called "Academic Certificates", where he allegedly advertised services offering Ordinary and Advanced Level certificates with improved grades for individuals who had either failed examinations or never sat for them.
Prosecutor Jambawu alleged that Mbofana posted sample certificates displaying enhanced grades and circulated invitation links to attract prospective clients.
Interested individuals were allegedly required to pay an initial deposit of US$11 via EcoCash to begin the process, followed by a balance ranging between US$50 and US$60, depending on negotiations.
The court heard that ZIMSEC officials became aware of the operation and joined the WhatsApp group through an invitation link.
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Investigations allegedly revealed that Mbofana was presenting himself as capable of producing authentic examination certificates, conduct which ZIMSEC says undermined the credibility and integrity of the examination body.
The matter was subsequently reported to the police, leading to investigations by law enforcement authorities.
Detectives allegedly obtained search and seizure warrants and requested subscriber and transaction information from Econet Wireless Zimbabwe.
According to the State, the mobile network operator provided subscriber details and EcoCash transaction records that assisted investigators in tracing the accused.
Mbofana was later arrested, and police allegedly recovered a Tecno Camon cellphone and two Econet SIM cards believed to have been used in the commission of the offence.
The cellphone was seized and sent to the CID Cyber Laboratory for forensic examination.
The State alleges that Mbofana's actions prejudiced ZIMSEC by damaging its reputation and public confidence in the integrity of its examination system.
Investigations are continuing.
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