In a rather shocking development, David Edwards, an 83-year-old Bulawayo man, found himself in the dock at the Harare Magistrate’s Court on Friday, facing serious allegations of theft involving a hefty sum of US$55,000 in Bitcoin. The case has both shocked and captured public interest, given the advanced age of the alleged thief and fraudster.

Deceptive Dealings

Prosecutors claim that Edwards orchestrated the deceptive scheme on February 24, 2024. The octogenarian reached out to cryptocurrency enthusiast William Chui and entered into an agreement involving US$55,000 worth of Bitcoin.

According to the prosecution, Edwards claimed he wanted to purchase the Bitcoin for his wife, Dana Smith, who resides in Oman. Chui subsequently transferred the cryptocurrency.

Following the transaction, Smith confirmed receiving the Bitcoin but reported that her account was subsequently locked, rendering the funds inaccessible.

Broken Promises

Edwards allegedly assured Chui that the issue would be resolved within 48 hours, committing to return US$50,000 worth of Bitcoin.

However, as the deadline passed, Chui’s attempts to recover his funds were met with evasion and excuses from Edwards, casting doubt on his intentions and integrity. Edward’s evasiveness ultimately resulted in Chui filing a police report which resulted in the 83-year-old’s arrest.

Courtroom Drama

In today’s court session, Edwards faced the consequences of his actions, with the magistrate imposing strict bail conditions, including the surrender of his passport and a US$100 bail. The matter is yet to be resolved, and the trial is still ongoing.