Zimbabwean Influencers Apologise After Promoting Migration Scam
Three popular Zimbabwean influencers, Tarisai “Madam Boss” Chikocho, Royal Mint, and Bridget “Mabrijo” Marufu, have issued public apologies after admitting they unknowingly promoted adverts linked to suspected scammers operating under the banner of migration consultancy services.
The controversy has sparked a national debate over the growing role of social media influencers in advertising, as their endorsements often outweigh the impact of traditional marketing agencies.
With millions of followers across platforms, creators have become powerful gatekeepers for brands, a trend that has also made them prime targets for fraudulent operators seeking legitimacy.
Spotlight on Diamond Migration and Vecco Lupa
The company at the centre of the storm, Diamond Migration, is allegedly run by a man known as Vecco Lupa. The firm marketed itself as a provider of overseas employment and immigration solutions, a sector that has seen a surge in demand as more Zimbabweans explore opportunities abroad.
However, migration experts and advocacy groups have recently raised alarms about the rise of unregistered agents offering “guaranteed jobs” and “fast-track visas”.
These operations, which are not accredited by Zimbabwean or foreign authorities, have been linked to financial losses and exploitation of job seekers.
Diamond Migration has now been cited as one such entity being accused of taking payments from hopeful migrants but failing to deliver any legitimate services.
Madam Boss: “I Was Misled”
In a statement dated 25 November, Madam Boss apologised to fans and the public, saying she had been unaware that Diamond Migration was not a legally registered or accredited organisation.
“I sincerely apologise to anyone who may have been misled, inconvenienced, or financially affected after seeing the advert or promotion associated with my brand,” she said.
She added that further checks revealed the company had no authority to offer immigration or overseas employment services, stressing that she had also been misled.
“I would like to categorically and officially disassociate myself from this company, its operations, its representatives, and all its claims,” she said, vowing to strengthen vetting processes for future endorsements.
Royal Mint and Mabrijo Also Withdraw Support
Content creator Royal Mint, who is also associated with the Matrix Disciplinary and Training Centre, issued her own apology, admitting that she had failed to conduct thorough checks before promoting the company.
“At the time, I acted in good faith and had no knowledge that the company would not fulfil its promises,” she said. “I take full responsibility for not conducting proper background checks.”
She pledged to adopt stricter screening measures to avoid promoting fraudulent organisations in the future.
Social media personality Mabrijo echoed the same sentiments, saying she was “truly sorry” for unintentionally misleading the public.
“I deeply regret that this situation has compromised your trust in any way,” she added.
A Growing Pattern of Online Scams
This is not the first time Zimbabwean influencers have been drawn into scandal after endorsing unverified companies.
In recent months, several socialites have appeared in court as witnesses after being accused of promoting fraudulent schemes, particularly those involving housing cooperatives, investment clubs and cross-border recruitment agencies.
Digital safety experts say the rapid rise of influencer marketing has created new vulnerabilities, as many creators operate without legal teams or marketing advisors, leaving them exposed to fraudulent partnerships.
Consumer watchdogs have urged the public to verify whether any migration or recruitment agency is registered with statutory bodies, accredited internationally, and is able to provide verifiable contracts before making any payment.
Pressure for Regulatory Reform
The incident has renewed calls for clearer regulations governing influencer advertising in Zimbabwe, including mandatory disclosure of paid partnerships and penalties for promoting fraudulent services.
As the backlash intensifies, all three creators have appealed for public understanding while promising to safeguard the trust of their audiences in future.
