CHIEF WRITER
BUSINESSMAN and politician, Pedzai “Scott” Sakupwanya, continues to battle scammers targeting unsuspecting people using his name and forged contacts.
This comes as the country’s biggest gold buyer has previously drawn the attention of the citizens to crooks, who, on three separate occasions — had scammed high profile people under false pretenses.
In the latest incident, a suspected criminal using a local WhatsApp number — +263771160969 — has been asking for money from high net worth individuals and contributions towards building a stadium in Mabvuku and to bankroll other projects in the constituency.
Premiership football champions, Scottland FC, who are owned by Sakupwanya, are renovating and transforming Mabvuku Stadium — while the legislator has undertaken massive CSR projects in the area.
“I don’t have a South African number and neither do I invite people to bankroll projects in my constituency. All the things I am doing — whether in sport or CSR activities — are structured.
“Please, block or report anyone who comes soliciting for money or any other material resources for Mabvuku, and/or other projects in which I am involved, using my name or names of my companies,” Sakupwanya told the Daily News.
“Those who are approached should also have the presence of mind to verify and check the authenticity of my purported needs — because scammers prey on people by exploiting such lapses,” Sakupwanya added. Last year, police arrested some criminals who had used Sakupwanya’s name to trick a high-ranking civil servant of thousands of United States dollars.
This is not the first time that Sakupwanya’s name has been used by crooks to try and dupe unsuspecting people.
In 2024, Sakupwanya was forced to publicly address the issue after some criminals used his images and illegally obtained his banking details to con people.
“I am not in the business of transacting in rands or any form of currency. I don’t run an Instagram or Facebook page, from which some of my images have been purpotedly taken from.
“I would like to warn people that scammers are on the loose and are using my name, images and South African numbers to con people. People who deal with me know how I conduct my business.
“My business is not conducted on social media. Those that we interact with know where our offices are, who to contact and who to consummate their dealings with,” Sakupwanya said then.
In 2022, Sakupwanya and BettersBrands Jewellery were forced to issue notices in the mainstream media, warning corporates and individuals against crooks that were purporting to be his representatives.