The company identified as CROWD 1, whose directorship is
still unknown, is alleged to have offered all those who invested in the scheme
up to 50 percent interest on their investments.
The company which was fronted by Mrs Tryphine Ndairagije
who also runs a chain of tuckshops at Tongogara Refugee Camp allegedly
approached the refugees to invest their money in return for interests last
year.
The refugees accuse Mrs Ndairagije of collecting their
money, but failing to deliver on the promised interest as well as refunding all
those who invested. It is now four months of waiting.
The refugees also argued that the money they were
prejudiced amount to US$15 000. Efforts to get their investments back are being
met with threats of being reported to authorities or blocking of visas for
European and United States of America destinations as well as scholarships for
their children.
Tongogara Refugee Camp administrator, Mr Johane Mhlanga,
said the matter is still to be brought to the attention of the camp
authorities.
“The matter is still to be reported to us and if anything
is brought to our attention, we will furnish you with the details,” he said
when contacted for a comment this week.
One of the disgruntled refugees, Mr Joseph Bosco, a
Democratic Republic of Congo national, told The Manica Post in an unsolicited
interview that depositors are being threatened whenever they demand their money
back.
“The CROWD 1 cashier, Mrs Ndairagije introduced this ponzi
scheme to us last year. It has now been four months of waiting for our money as
well the promised interests. She (Mrs Ndairagije) is the one who introduced the
scheme to us, but when we approach her demanding our interests, she threaten us
with either reporting us to the authorities or stopping the processing of our
visa applications to the USA or Europe.
“She is the one who came and collected the money. She also
opened accounts for us. ‘‘Many refugees invested in the scheme after promises
of interests on their investments. We were told that the more you invest, the
higher the interest margins will be, but up to now nothing has been paid to
us,” he said.
Another complainant who declined to be named, said: “The CROWD
1 team which was being led by Mrs Ndairagije collected our money, but they are
telling us that we cannot get our dues back because they are connected to law
enforcement agents as well as immigration authorities. I think we lost out
through this scheme. Our hands are tied because no one wants to be deported or
denied visas to go abroad.”
Contacted for a comment, Mrs Ndairagije expressed ignorance
over the ponzi scheme and said those raising the allegations against her were
out to tarnish her image.
“I don’t know anything on what you are talking about. I can
only talk to you if you avail the names of people who raised these allegations
against me,” she said before switching off her cellphone. Manica Post
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