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Fungai Lupande Court Reporter
FOUR suspected armed robbers who terrorised EcoCash agents in Harare and conducted transactions using fake money have appeared in court.

Vincent Timozo (29), Mickey Gilbert (37), Geoffery Kasipo (30) and Takudzwa Mauruka (22) appeared before Harare magistrate Mr Francis Mapfumo on Tuesday.

They are facing armed robbery and six counts of fraud charges.

Mr Mapfumo remanded them in custody to September 8.

Fake notes

Prosecutor Ms Sharon Mashavira alleged that on June 29, at an EcoCash shop at the corner of Mbuya Nehanda Street and Jason Moyo Avenue, the quartet handed the agent, Shelter Mutoti, $500 for a cash-in trans- action.

The money was in genuine notes and after a while they cancelled the transaction and demanded their money back.

Few minutes later they said they wanted to continue with the transaction and handed over five $100 fake notes.

The agent unconsciously did the transaction but immediately realised that the money was fake.

The quartet sped off in their getaway car before she could call them back.

It is alleged that on July 27, the quartet went to Kuwadzana 1 Areno Shops in Harare armed with a firearm.

They handed over $305 to an EcoCash agent and after he transferred the money into cellphone number 0778 483 093, they manhandled him demanding their money back.

They threatened to shoot him and after getting the money back they sped off in a white Altezza registration number ACC 5511.

On August 5 at Pool Plaza, Chisipite, the quartet approached an EcoCash agent and gave him $400.

They cancelled the transaction but later handed the money again but this time it was fake notes.

The agent, Grace Mungororo, did the transaction but immediately realised that she had been duped.

Before she could get help, the quartet sped off.

On the same day they proceeded to Club 150 and gave an EcoCash agent, Simon Goho, $500.

Using their modus operandi they cancelled the transaction and later handed over fake notes.

The quartet allegedly transacted using fake money on August 13, 14 and 15 using the same modus oper- andi.

A total of $3 205 was stolen and nothing was re- covered.