Botswana authorities remanded a 29-year-old Zimbabwean man in custody on Tuesday after he appeared before the Village Magistrates’ Court in Gaborone accused of running an international job-seekers scam.
He allegedly posed as an immigration consultant and charged people for fake work and residence permits, with reports claiming that several South Africa–based content creators helped promote his services.
Zimbabwean migration scammer arrested
Police arrested Evans Sivechere, a director of Diamond Migration (Pty) Ltd, on Sunday at Sir Seretse Khama International Airport following what Botswana authorities described as “intensive investigations.”
Sivechere is facing 11 counts of fraud.
According to police, he and his company allegedly defrauded 11 people of more than P240 000 between October last year and October this year.
Victims paid for fake overseas migration promises
Prosecutors say Sivechere misled victims into believing it was processing overseas job placements and work permits for them.
The applicants reportedly submitted all required documents and paid various fees, but later realised no jobs existed.
The scam reportedly offered supposed employment in Ireland, the Czech Republic, Bulgaria, Luxembourg, Finland, Poland, and Greece
Authorities caution against fake employment schemes
The Botswana Police Service has urged the public to be cautious when dealing with employment or recruitment agencies.
They advised people to verify the agencies’ legitimacy before making any payments.
Investigators say more charges could be added as the probe continues.
Sivechere is due back in court on 2 December.
Why victims are easily trapped to migration scams
Many people fall victim to migration scams because they are eager to find better job opportunities and improve their lives abroad.
Scammers exploit this hope by presenting convincing documents, professional-looking websites, or endorsements from influencers, making their schemes appear legitimate.
A lack of awareness about official migration processes, combined with the fear of missing out on opportunities, often leads victims to trust these fraudsters without proper verification.
Authorities stress the importance of caution, research, and confirming the legitimacy of agencies before making any payments.
