Zimbabwe — Authorities have issued a strong warning to the public over a growing wave of fraudsters impersonating Vice President Constantino Chiwenga and his wife, Colonel Miniyothabo Baloyi Chiwenga, in attempts to extort money from unsuspecting citizens.
The alert was communicated by Deputy Chief Secretary to the President for Presidential Communications, George Charamba, who revealed that the impostors are using foreign-registered telephone numbers, particularly from South Africa and Nigeria, to deceive members of the public.
Charamba stressed that all official communication from the Office of the Vice President and his household is conducted strictly through recognized government channels, warning citizens against engaging with unsolicited messages claiming to originate from the Vice President.
In addition, the public has been advised that neither Vice President Chiwenga nor his spouse operates accounts on the social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, making any such claims fraudulent and misleading.
Authorities have identified several numbers linked to the scam, including +234 8083483315, +234 7038120794, and +277 25956982, which are being used to lure victims into financial transactions under false pretenses.
Government agencies are currently investigating the matter, with law enforcement working to track down those responsible. Citizens are being urged to report any suspicious communication to the Office of the President, the Zimbabwe Republic Police, or the Office of the Vice President.
The warning comes amid increasing cases of cyber fraud targeting prominent public figures, highlighting the need for heightened public awareness and vigilance in safeguarding personal and financial information.
Members of the public are strongly advised to disregard, dismiss, and report any such communications, as authorities intensify efforts to protect citizens and uphold the integrity of government institutions.
