A self-styled prophet allegedly swindled a woman of over USD700 claiming he wanted to pray for the money to solve her problems.

Vincent Mashaire, 27, was sentenced to three months in prison which was wholly suspended on condition he immediately pays back Shamiso Zvabaya USD735.

Mashaire told Zvabaya to bring all the money she had in the house so that he could pray for it. He was given USD735 and wrapped it in a cloth which he said he wanted to pray for to remove evil spirits.

Zvabaya later unfolded the cloth and found papers. She filed a police report leading to Mashaire’s arrest.