Recently, it has come to light that a desperate 16-year-old boy from Lobengula West suburb of Bulawayo, whose name is being withheld for privacy reasons, allegedly stole R1,000 and US$230 from his parents in a sh0cking move.
The reason behind this shocking act? He believed he could pay his so-called “godfather” in Ghana to obtain umuthi—a term often associated with traditional medicine or magic, which he thought would bring him wealth.
B Metro reports that according to sources close to the situation, this teenager, currently in Form Four, got lured into a d@ngerous scheme through a WhatsApp group for his school.
While browsing the group, he stumbled upon a link that piqued his interest. Intrigued by the offers of quick riches, lotto winnings, and fame, he decided to pursue the promise of amassing a vast fortune.
His mother shared the chilling details of what unfolded next.
“After joining the group, the administrator asked him if he wanted to become wealthy quickly,” she recounted. “He was told that in order to receive umuthi for this purpose, he needed to pay a fee.” Believing wholeheartedly in this dubious promise, the boy went ahead and stole money from his parents without hesitation.
Once he had the money, he sent R1,000 and US$230 to his “godfather” in Ghana. The situation took an even darker turn when the godfather instructed the boy to send a photograph of his best friend.
The chilling message that followed was that a spell would be cast on the friend leading to his untimely demise once the candles, which the boy was told to purchase, were burned completely.
When the boy’s mother discovered the missing money, she was alarmed and quickly reported it to the police at the Magwegwe Police Station. Upon police questioning, her son confessed to the theft and revealed the astonishing truth of his intentions. “He told me he sent the money to a man in Ghana to get rich,” she explained, her voice filled with concern.
As the investigation unfolded, the so-called “godfather” even sent a video featuring images of both the boy and his friend, suggesting that the latter was to be sacrificed. This revelation raised even more alarm bells among the community.
The mother of the potential victim expressed her confusion and fear: “We are not sure if this was a genuine sacrifice or just a scam.”
Regarding the alarming incidents, Bulawayo Police Spokesperson Inspector Abednico Ncube confirmed the events.
He issued a stern warning to the public, encouraging everyone to be cautious about interactions with strangers on social media platforms, as they might fall victim to scams that exploit their desperation.
