A 17-year-old boy from Zimre Park, Ruwa, has been arraigned before the Harare Magistrates Court on charges of fraud, following allegations that he defrauded high school students in a sophisticated scam. The accused, whose name has not been disclosed, is alleged to have posed as a member of the Junior Parliament, luring students with promises of joining the prestigious Junior Motivators SADC Parliament program.
According to court documents, the teenager initiated his scheme in July 2024, convincing students to pay $62 for registration and uniforms, along with an additional $50 for a supposed camping trip to Domboshava Resort. After collecting the payments, totaling $2,640, he reportedly vanished, leaving the students and their families out of pocket. Authorities confirmed that none of the funds were recovered.
The youth appeared in court on the 26th of August, where the case was remanded to the 5th of September 2024.
He was released into the custody of his guardian pending further proceedings. The case highlights growing concerns over youth involvement in fraudulent activities and the exploitation of trust within educational circles.
