Dating-scam and money laundering suspects arrested in Cape Town
Updated | By Eva Chipa
Eight foreign nationals were arrested on Tuesday morning for an
international internet dating-scam and money laundering syndicate.
It is alleged that these suspects, preyed on victims, many of whom are vulnerable widows or divorcees who were led to believed that they were in a genuine romantic relationships but were scammed out of their hard earned cash.
Hawks spokesperson Katlego Mogale, says these “romance scams” occurred on many dating sites across the world.
“The suspects used social media websites, online dating websites to find and connect with their victims. Other modus operandi used by the suspects includes business email compromise, where email accounts are diverted in order to change banking details.”
The Hawks made the arrest in Cape Town with the help of various international law enforcement groups including FBI and Interpol.
“Once they had ingratiated themselves with their victims, they allegedly concocted sob-stories about why they needed money – i.e., taxes to release an inheritance, essential overseas travel, crippling debt, etc. – and then siphoned money from victim’s accounts,” says Mogale.
She adds that the FBI estimates that more than 100 people lost more than R100 million in romance scams from 2011 till to date.
“The fraudsters intimidated and berated their victims, ruined their lives and then disappeared. The suspects in this investigation are alleged to have ties to a transnational organised crime syndicate originating in Nigeria.”
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