Chinese national loses US$81 000 to robbers in Harare
By Staff Reporter
A Chinese national lost US$81 000 cash after thieves trailed him Friday and snatched the money from his car in Harare’s Milton Park suburb.
Police spokesperson for Harare Province Inspector Luckmore Chakanza confirmed the incident and identified the victim as An Qiaotao (27) who resides at Sunny Yifeng Zimbabwe Pvt Ltd, Norton, his workplace.
The thieves were reportedly using a white Toyota Hilux.
“On 22 August 2025 at around 12:30pm, the victim and his driver went to China Gardens in the same motor vehicle for lunch with the collected cash in a satchel which was being carried by the victim.
“The victim then went into a restaurant carrying the bag and the driver remained in their vehicle.
“After about 30 minutes, the victim returned to the vehicle which he entered using the rear left passenger door with his bag and placed it on the rear passenger seat,” said Chakanza.
It was then that a male robber, who was in a white Toyota Hilux, came and blocked the victim’s vehicle.
“One male adult proceeded to the victim’s vehicle using the opposite door where the driver was sitting, opened his rear right door and grabbed his bag, which had US$81 000, and jumped into their vehicle before driving off at high speed,” said Chakanza.
A CCTV footage was retrieved but it failed to capture the registration number of the robbers’ vehicle.
