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Sifelani Tsiko Senior Writer
Scores of Zimbabweans have lost thousands of dollars after fraudsters contacted them using text messages that they had won large sums of money in a prize draw allegedly run by a local retailer.

The scam artists after sending an sms notifying the victims of having won a $1 000 cash voucher from “Beitbridge Spar Supermarket,” enticed people to send $10 via EcoCash so that they could claim their prize.

Many fell prey to the scam and Ahmed Safuli of Tafara was one of them.

“When I got an sms on my cellular phone from Spar Beitbridge that I had won a $1 000 cash voucher I leapt with joy,” he said. “I was so happy that I didn’t think twice to pay $10 via EcoCash to the fraudsters.

“I thought all my school fees woes were over until I learnt about the scam from other people who got similar messages.”

Safuli said when he tried to inquire about his prize money he received no response.

Spar Zimbabwe has since issued a public notice warning people to disregard such text messages.

“Please do not send money via EcoCash to ‘claim’ your prize. Spar is not running an sms-based competition,” said the supermaket chain. Scores of job-seekers have also fallen prey to scammers who have posted an advert for ‘graduate trainees’ on social media using the Old Mutual Zimbabwe name. Victims were asked to do wire transfers as a fee for processing their applications.

Old Mutual Zimbabwe also ran a disclaimer in the press.

“Please note that Old Mutual Zimbabwe does not advertise or offer vacancies on social media,” read part of the statement.

A UK-based international NGO has also in recent weeks issued a disclaimer in the press dissociating itself from an unknown entity using its name to advertise for job vacancies. Some Zimbabweans have fallen victims to cybercrime as scammers ask them to supply their personal information, including banking details with promises of lottery and sweepstakes prizes.

The victims are asked to send money via wire transfers to “redeem” their prizes.

Obscene publication, transmission of unauthorised content, credit card and banking frauds are the widespread cybercrimes faced worldwide.