A troubling incident recently occurred involving a 16-year-old boy from Lobengula West in Bulawayo, whose name is being kept private. He allegedly stole R1,000 and US$230 from his parents to pay a so-called “godfather” in Ghana for umuthi, which he believed would make him rich.
According to B Metro, the Form Four student was lured into this risky scheme through a school WhatsApp group. He clicked on a link promising quick wealth and fame, which prompted him to take action.
His mother shared that after joining the group, the administrator asked if he wanted to get rich quickly and said he needed to pay to receive umuthi. Trusting this false promise, the boy stole money from his parents.
Once he had the money, he sent R1,000 and US$230 to his “godfather” in Ghana. Things took a darker turn when the godfather asked for a photo of the boy’s best friend, claiming a spell would be cast on him, leading to his death after certain candles were burned.
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When the boy’s mother noticed the money was missing, she reported it to the police at Magwegwe Police Station. During questioning, her son admitted to the theft and explained his actions. “He told me he sent the money to a man in Ghana to get rich,” she said, worried about the situation.
As the investigation went on, the “godfather” sent a video showing both the boy and his friend, suggesting a sacrifice was planned. This alarmed the community further. The mother of the potential victim expressed her fear and confusion, saying, “We are not sure if this was a genuine sacrifice or just a scam.”
Bulawayo Police Spokesperson Inspector Abednico Ncube confirmed the case and warned the public to be careful with interactions on social media, as they could fall victim to scams.
