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Whinsley Masara and Nqobile Tshili Chronicle Reporters
SCORES of Bulawayo residents allegedly lost thousands of dollars to a conman who promised them jobs with an international non-governmental organisation.

Police arrested Talent Gavi alias Shaun Musosi, 36, of Sunninghill suburb as he was conducting a meeting with about 50 of his victims at an upmarket city pub on Wednesday night.

They recovered about 19 passports and a number of national identity cards from Gavi.

The fraudster allegedly took the documents from his victims, promising to arrange work permits for them in Mozambique and Tanzania.

Some of his victims said he promised those without passports jobs at the NGO’s Harare offices.

Gavi told the police he used a WhatsApp group called “Let’s Discuss Football” to lure desperate jobseekers.

His victims told The Chronicle yesterday that they paid between $130 and $145 for placement with the unnamed NGO.

They said Gavi told them they would be getting monthly salaries of up to $6,000.

A victim who preferred anonymity said Gavi asked them to list suit, shirt, underwear and shoe sizes, saying the NGO would buy each of them two pairs of the clothing items.

The Chronicle has a copy of part of the list.

Clarence Chidavaenzi, who lost $115 to Gavi, said a friend introduced him to the conman.

“When Thobani told me of the job opportunity I was interested. I called Shaun and we met in the morning of July 18,” said Chidavaenzi, who added that Thobani was also duped by the smooth talking Gavi.

“I didn’t have the money and so I promised to call him later during the day which I did. At noon I met the guy (Shaun) who was with someone called Tinomuda who I think is also a victim.”

Chidavaenzi said he paid $115 and Gavi told him if he delayed in paying the rest of the money, he would lose out.

He said Gavi claimed the money would be used to open a bank account and process his work permit.

Other victims told of how they stampeded to get passports.

“The news was spreading very fast and we thought if we didn’t get passports, others would get the opportunity ahead of us,” said a victim.

“This guy put a message on our WhatsApp chat group saying those interested in a well-paying job in the Sadc region should inbox him.”

Gavi would hold periodic “update meetings” with his victims at a city hotel and upmarket pubs.

Police sources said Gavi claimed he worked alone on the scam.

“He was part of a chat group called ‘’Let’s discuss football’’ on the popular social media forum “WhatsApp’’ using mobile number 0779087*05.

That’s where he would also invite those interested in working abroad to inbox him and they would then chat individually,” said a source.

The source said Gavi told police Tinotenda Machingauta, the administrator of the group, was not aware Gavi was using the platform to fleece members.

Bulawayo police spokesperson, Inspector Precious Simango, said Gavi committed the crime between May and July.

“He fleeced jobseekers demanding between $30 and $180 to process their papers. He told some of his victims that he was working for the government while he told others he was employed by World Vision,” she said.

Insp Simango warned members of the public to desist from being involved in shady dealings while seeking employment as it exposed them to fraudsters.

“Jobseekers must be wary of those intending to employ them. They shouldn’t accept employment on the streets. They shouldn’t bribe officials to get employed. There are no joining fees necessary for job seekers,” she said.

Insp Simango said jobseekers must first verify the location of their prospective employers instead of always meeting them on the streets.