: Businessman loses US$90 000 to conmen

Businessman loses US$90 000 to conmen
================================================================================
Herald on 10 March, 2010 10:51:00
 
One of the suspects, Hanif Khan of Belvedere, has been arrested and appeared in
court yesterday charged with fraud.
Harare magistrate Mr Archie Wochiunga remanded Khan out of custody to March 23
on US$300 bail.
Prosecutor Mrs Phyllis Zvenyika alleges that sometime in January this year, the
complainant, Mr Jie Zheng Gao Richard of Vainona, wanted to expand his business
and went around looking for premises to rent.
It is alleged that along the way he met one Peter Muzanenhamo who introduced him
to Khan.
Khan allegedly indicated that he and his accomplice, Lix Ming — who was still
at large — owned two buildings, which they wanted to let.
One such building is No. 2 Cameron Street and the other is No. 88 Rezende
Street.
A lease agreement was drawn up between Khan and the complainant and the terms of
the contract were outlined, the prosecutor said.
It is further alleged that the complainant paid US$88 500 in advance rentals and
deposits.
However, when the complainant tried to occupy the premises at No. 2 Cameron
Street, referred to in the lease agreement, he discovered that the premises were
owned by Mr Chigumba and that the former parliamentarian had never entered into
any lease agreement with Khan.
It also came to light that No. 2 Cameron Street referred to in the lease
agreement is in actual fact No. 1 Leopold Takawira Street.
Jie Zheng made a police report leading to Khan’s arrest.