Zimbabwean man faces jail in Taiwan

A Zimbabwean man was indicted on fraud and blackmail charges on Tuesday for swindling about two million Taiwan dollars (more than $A68,720) from eight Taiwanese women whom he promised to marry.

Prosecutors sought a five-year jail term for Litlbla de Seth, who is accused of duping eight women in 2008-09 and has previously served a jail sentence on the island for similar offences.

He also threatened to kill several women who wanted to end their relationships with him, said a spokesman for the prosecution. Seth promised to marry the women to gain their trust, and borrowed money from them on the grounds that he needed to buy a house, a car or arrange the wedding, the spokesman said.

The 47-year-old was deported by Taiwanese authorities in early 2008 after serving nearly five years in jail for similar crimes, but managed to re-enter the island using a British passport, the prosecution said.

Local media said Seth had assumed different identities such as a musician, stock analyst, diving instructor and journalist to scam at least 30 local women. AFP

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