A businesswoman working in the mining industry lost half a million dollars after criminals impersonated senior mining executives and used AI-generated voice messages, or deepfakes, to keep her engaged while they drained her funds.
Precious Mabuza, who works in the chrome industry, says the scheme began when individuals approached her claiming to be top officials from Kuvimba Mining House, reports the local news outlet Newsdze Zimbabwe.
She says the pitch looked credible and aligned with her usual trade activity.
“I received a message from individuals pretending to be executives from Kuvimba Mining House. They claimed they were looking to collaborate with me on a report mandated by the Minister of Mines regarding chrome on the Great Dyke.”
Mabuza says the scammers presented themselves as authoritative and professional, convincing her that the opportunity was legitimate. She says she was eventually persuaded to make what she believed was a routine business payment to facilitate chrome deliveries. Believing the deal was genuine, she sent $500,000 to a South African account provided by the group.
“Since this is part of my regular business dealings, I didn’t think twice.”
But after the transfer, Mabuza says the communication abruptly stopped.
“I tried to call them, but they didn’t answer. That’s when I started to suspect something was off.”
The criminals sent AI deepfakes to prolong the deception and simulate ongoing operations. Mabuza says she handed the audio files to authorities as part of an active investigation.
Kuvimba Mining House quickly distances itself from the scheme, warning that fraudsters were misusing its identity.
“Certain unscrupulous individuals may attempt to mimic or impersonate company executives in negotiating non-existent transactions purportedly on behalf of Kuvimba Mining House. Such actions are fraudulent, illegal and not sanctioned by our company in any form.”
The firm says authentic transactions are conducted only through verified channels and emphasizes that it is not liable for agreements made outside official procedures. Law enforcement in Zimbabwe is now handling the case as the investigation continues.
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