By Patience Gondo
The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) has launched a nationwide manhunt for Tranos Taurai Muzanenhamo, wanted in connection with a string of Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) card swap fraud cases and hacking activities involving over USD 17,000 and ZWL 30.6 billion.
In a statement dated October 21, 2025 the Zimbabwe Police spokesman Commissioner Paul Nyathi, appealed to the public for information that could lead to the arrest of Muzanenhamo, who is accused of orchestrating fraudulent SIM card replacements and accessing victims’ digital financial accounts.
Nyathi said the suspect used phishing schemes, data breaches and public records to obtain personal details such as names and phone numbers of his victims.
Phishing involves sending fake messages that appear to come from trusted sources in order to track individuals into revealing sensitive details such as passwords or banking information.
“He used social engineering tactics to bypass security questions,” said Nyathi.
“Subsequently, he would then contact the victims’ mobile service provider, impersonating the victims before requesting a SIM card replacement.”
Nyathi said once a SIM swap was approved, the victims’ original numbers would be deactivated, allowing the suspect full access to their mobile wallets and digital banking services.
Nyathi said as a result, the suspect withdrew cash from the victims’ mobile account wallets and banks through digital banking.
Muzanenhamo is also accused of hijacking the victims’ WhatsApp accounts and using them to solicit money from their contacts under false pretenses.
Nyathi has urged members of the public with any information about the suspect’s whereabouts to come forward.
“Anyone with information which may lead to the arrest of the suspect should contact the National Complaints Desk on (0242) 703631 or WhatsApp on 0712 800197, or report at any nearest Police Station,” said Commissioner Nyathi.