08/04/2026
📵 Scam Alert: Fake Rent-To-Buy Car Scheme Hits Zimbabwe
A well-orchestrated fraudulent scheme targeting individuals eager to own vehicles through a rent-to-buy program has been duping unsuspecting Zimbabweans for months.
How The Scam Works
- Fraudsters, believed to be in Beitbridge, Musina, or Harare, advertise attractive car deals on social media platforms like WhatsApp, Facebook, and informal networks.
- They promise zero-deposit car ownership, claiming buyers can start paying after 30 days through affordable monthly installments over 18 months.
- To secure the deal, they demand an administration fee and fuel cost ranging from US$250 to $300, sometimes up to $400 for larger vehicles.
- Once payment is made via mobile transfer or bank deposit, the scammers disappear—numbers become unreachable, and victims are left stranded.
Fake Car Dealerships & Trade Names
- Every Motors: Rent To Buy Cars
- Sbt Motors Zimbabwe
- Valiant Motors
- Quest Royal Motors Installments
- Other fraudulent names continue to emerge
Their ads appear professional but often contain grammatical errors and inconsistencies uncommon in legitimate businesses.
How They Target Victims
- Scammers use apps like Truecaller, LinkedIn, and Google to identify and contact potential victims.
- Some pose as overwhelmed dealers, claiming limited stock to create urgency.
- Others provide fake physical addresses that don’t exist when victims try to visit.
Victims Speak Out
- People have traveled long distances—even from Australia—to secure cars, only to realize they’ve been scammed.
- Beitbridge vendors report seeing many people wandering the streets searching for non-existent dealerships.
Legal Experts Warn The Public
- Beitbridge lawyer Jabulani Mzinyathi warns against these scams, confirming multiple victims have sought his help.
- “I personally tried tracing scammers to their listed addresses—none existed,” he revealed.
How To Protect Yourself
- Verify any dealership before making payments.
- Be cautious of deals that seem too good to be true—legitimate businesses don’t demand suspicious upfront fees.
- Insist on physically seeing the car and dealership before transacting.
- Report suspected fraud to the police and share this alert to protect others.
Spread The Word. Warn Your Friends And Family.
If you or someone you know has been targeted, report it immediately.
Don’t Be A Victim—Stay Vigilant And Protect Your Hard-Earned Money. Kindly engage traceable agents to avoid losses of your hard earned money.
