KEY POINTS
- A 44-year-old man was arrested for defrauding a woman of R365,000 ($19,906) and her vehicle.
- The victim was tricked using fake documentation from the suspect.
- The search continues for the main suspect along with other accomplices.
A 44-year-old man has been arrested in Pretoria for allegedly defrauding a woman of R365,000 ($19,906) and her Toyota Fortuner through a sophisticated romance scam.
The suspect was taken into custody on March 6 by the Hawks’ Serious Commercial Crime Investigation Unit. He is facing charges of fraud and money laundering.
The case, which was opened in June 2023, alleges that the victim, who believed she was in a romantic relationship with a Congolese national, was manipulated into handing over large sums of money and eventually selling her vehicle.
The man she trusted posed as a businessman and convinced her that the money would be used to clear goods shipped from overseas.
Police representative Lieutenant Colonel Christopher Singo stated that the suspect employed counterfeit identification to justify his statements.
“The victim withdrew her savings and deposited the funds into various bank accounts provided by the suspect. One of these accounts belonged to the arrested individual,” Singo said.
Fraudulent documents and false promises at the center of scam
According to authorities, the suspect coerced the victim into selling her Toyota Fortuner, with the proceeds also handed over under the guise of helping to clear imported goods. The attacker’s deceptive plan led to both financial and emotional pain for the victim.
However, investigators have confirmed that the primary suspect, a Congolese national, remains at large.
Authorities are actively pursuing leads. They are also investigating other individuals who may have received fraudulent funds linked to the case.
“The use of fraudulent documents to gain trust and extract large sums of money shows the calculated nature of this crime,” Singo explained. “We are determined to bring all responsible parties to justice.”
The arrested suspect, whose identity has not yet been publicly disclosed, appeared before the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court on March 7.
The court proceedings focused on the charges of fraud and money laundering. Moreover, they are continuing their investigation to track down the main suspect and any accomplices involved in the scam.
Police urge public vigilance against romance scams
Police have urged the public to remain vigilant against romance scams, which are on the rise in South Africa.
According to IOL, Singo advised individuals to be cautious when forming relationships online or with individuals who solicit financial assistance under questionable circumstances.
“Fraudsters often use emotional manipulation to gain trust and exploit victims,” he said. “We encourage people to report suspicious behavior to law enforcement promptly.”
The arrest made in this Pretoria romance scam is part of ongoing efforts by the Hawks to crack down on financial crimes. It is also to protect vulnerable individuals from falling prey to sophisticated scams.
Furthermore, authorities have reiterated their commitment to pursuing all leads to ensure that justice is served.
As the investigation continues, police are calling on anyone with information related to the case to come forward.
