The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) has warned prospective tenants and home seekers to verify with ownership with property owners before handing over money to agents. The ZRP advises that there are bogus estate agents swindling people of their money.
In a statement, national police spokesperson Chief Superintendent Paul Nyathi said,
The Zimbabwe Republic Police would like to inform the general public that cases of fraud are rampant in Harare. Fraudsters are advertising through various platforms pretending to sell properties, leasing houses or providing wedding venues among others tricks.
…The complainant identified a house in Hillside, Harare and communicated with the contact person through WhatsApp. The contact person asked the complainant to go and view the house in her absence.
The complainant viewed the house which had no curtains and locked from outside and was satisfied. The following day she was asked to pay a deposit of $100 through a mobile payment platform.
[After finding the house occupied by another tenant when she wanted to move in…]
She learnt that she was the fourth person to come intending to occupy the house in a space of two days. The matter was reported at ZRP Rhodesville and is currently under investigations.
More: Herald
zrp should also act against tenants who are defaulting on flimsy grounds.when you have no money move out.some tenants are going for 3 months without paying and then run away.