Fraud accused Edozie Okobi to return to court on Friday
Alleged fraudster Edozie Okobi (43) will remain in police custody until Friday for a formal bail application.
The 43-year-old made a brief appearance at the Palm Ridge Specialised Commercial Crimes Court for fraud and theft of approximately R6 million.
Gauteng Hawks spokesperson Ndivhuwo Mulamu says Okobi and then-girlfriend Angel Tau (28) allegedly attempted to launder money from a prospective steel pipe buyer in 2017.
"Further investigation revealed that Okobi and Tau allegedly interrupted and re-directed the steel pipe buyer to their fraudulent email address where they provided new banking details of which an amount of R6 million was transferred.
"The investigation team facilitated to recover an amount of R4 million before it could be spent by the accused," says Mulamu.
He adds Tau was arrested in 2017 and is serving an eight-year sentence for fraud and theft.
"A warrant of arrest was issued for Okobi’s apprehension and he was circulated on local and international border movement control as a person of interest on fraud and theft-related matter," he says.
"Hawks’ Serious Commercial Crime Investigation team in Germiston successfully traced and arrested Okobi in Douglasdale and subsequently charged him for fraud and theft on 19 April 2021."
