For years, Pastor Roy Mambongo Savens, director of Group 6 International, cultivated an image of success as both a preacher and entrepreneur. Social media posts portrayed him juggling construction projects, preaching sermons, and celebrating business achievements. But beneath this polished exterior, a growing number of allegations are now casting a shadow over his reputation. Savens has been linked to a purported fake Certificate of Sponsorship (COS) scheme, a fraudulent operation targeting Zimbabweans and other migrants seeking work in the United Kingdom.
In the past month alone, new complaints totalling at least £48,500 have surfaced, prompting heightened scrutiny from mediators, journalists, and victims alike. The allegations suggest that Savens promised lucrative jobs in the UK care sector, collected substantial sums of money from clients, and failed to deliver on his commitments.
Several victims have gone public with their stories, describing how they were lured by the promise of secure employment in the UK. One complainant claims to have lost £20,000, part of a wider £38,000 total from five job seekers who collectively paid Savens for positions that never materialized. Another individual reports a loss of £10,500 in a separate transaction.
When confronted, Savens reportedly offered to repay £500 per month starting on the 7th of each month—a proposal victims deemed inadequate considering the amounts involved.
Pastor and Entrepreneur Roy Mambongo Savens Faces Growing Allegations Over UK Visa Scam
Two mediation sessions held in early August reveal that Savens has acknowledged his debts but has yet to commit to immediate repayment.
On 2 August, a mediator noted: “There’s an outstanding matter involving $38,000 and allegations of fake Certificates of Service.” Savens responded: “I understand. There’s been a lot of pressure from the people I’m working with, but the matter is being addressed. It’s underway.”
The following day, during a second session, Savens stated: “I’m taking responsibility and want to resolve this—not because of pressure, but because I’ve always been upfront with them.” Despite these assurances, victims continue to press for full restitution.
Perhaps the most striking episode in this saga occurred far from a church or mediation room, on the showroom floor of a luxury car dealership in Cape Town, South Africa. According to multiple sources, Savens arrived with USD 40,000 in cash intending to purchase a high-end vehicle. While the transaction should have been routine, the dealer grew suspicious of his paperwork and demeanor.
Within hours, the dealership had independently verified Savens’ identity against social media posts and victim accounts detailing the alleged COS scam. Fearing potential fraud, the dealer refused to release the vehicle.
A source close to the dealership said: “He had the money in hand, but the story didn’t add up. His behaviour screamed red flag. When we realised people were calling him a scammer over visa fraud, we decided we couldn’t sell him the car. It was too risky.”
For victims, the incident served as a stark illustration: if even a car dealer in South Africa could connect the dots and refuse to engage with Savens, why had authorities not acted sooner?
In WhatsApp messages obtained by reporters, Savens denied that he was scamming anyone. He emphasized that he had made a genuine offer of repayment: “It is well, do as you will. I offered to pay £500 monthly every 7th, and you rejected it. If that is demonstration of scam there’s nothing I can further do to appease. But thank you for giving me an opportunity to explain my position and not being biased.”
Yet critics argue that the Cape Town incident underscores a broader concern: even in a transaction involving tens of thousands of dollars, Savens was deemed too suspicious to trust.
Timeline of Developments
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16 May 2025 — Bloomberg Businessweek names Savens in an exposé on COS visa fraud.
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23 July 2025 — Bloomberg Video expands coverage of the alleged scam ecosystem.
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Late July 2025 — Victims go public, citing losses of £38,000 (five job seekers) and £10,500 (one client).
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Early August 2025 — Cape Town car dealership refuses Savens’ purchase after connecting him to COS scam reports.
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2 August 2025 — First mediation call; Savens acknowledges the debt but delays repayment.
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3 August 2025 — Second mediation call; he proposes a three-way call with a complainant.
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August 2025 — WhatsApp correspondence; Savens claims he offered £500 monthly repayment and rejects the “scammer” label.
Savens has not been charged with any crime related to these allegations. However, victims are preparing to escalate their complaints through Action Fraud UK and the Home Office sponsor-licensing unit. Meanwhile, mediation transcripts, social media posts, and the Cape Town car dealership episode continue to circulate online, fueling debate over whether Savens is a businessman who encountered failed deals or a pastor exploiting faith and migrants’ desperation for personal profit.
As investigations continue, the story of Roy Mambongo Savens remains a cautionary tale, highlighting the vulnerabilities of those seeking opportunity abroad—and the blurred lines between entrepreneurship, faith, and fraud.
Source- ZimEye
