Catholic priest conned by CIO imposter

via Catholic priest conned by CIO imposter 22 July 2014

A 26-YEAR-OLD Waterfalls man who masqueraded as a member of the country’s feared secret service to get free food and accommodation from a Catholic priest has been jailed for two years for fraud.

Marshel Nyamasaka produced a fake letter from the President’s Office requesting free food, accommodation and the use of the parish vehicles for six days alleging he was an undercover agent on a mission to investigate corruption in the Midlands town of Gweru.

Gweru provincial magistrate, Pathekile Msipa, sentenced Nyamasaka to two and half years in prison but suspended six months for five years on condition of good behaviour.

The state’s case was that on June 5, 2014, Nyamasaka who resides at 192 Masocha Ndlovu Road in Waterfalls produced a fake letter at the Roman Catholic Church offices in Gweru claiming that he was from the President’s Office.

The fake letter said Nyamasaka was to be assisted with food, accommodation and a vehicle of his choice for six days during his working visit.

Nyamasaka also forged a Central Intelligence Organisation (CIO) number which he used to con the clergyman.

“We at the Central Intelligence Office, President’s Office State House, Harare, request you to accommodate our President’s Security Agent with immediate effect from this day at your guest house,” read part of the letter.

The letter further claimed that the President’s Office would cover all the expenses.

The priest-in-charge, Terrence Mapwashike, however became suspicious after receiving the letter from Nyamasaka and reported the matter to the police.

Nyamasaka was arrested on the same day in Dalesford where he had been offered accommodation by the church.

Police recovered a date stamp from the President’s Office and various other documents including the fake letterhead.

Nyamasaka attempted to defend himself saying he had been instructed by his “boss” and did not know that he was committing an offence.