Hawks nab insurance fraudsters who spent 23 years in hiding
The Hawks have arrested a couple for allegedly defrauding Old Mutual of R1.7 million back in the 1990s.
Robbie Smith (67), who changed his name to Chris Boshoff, and his 59-year-old wife Alice Abigail Boschoff allegedly faked the husband's death in 1999.
They have been on the run for the past 23 years.
The Hawks say the couple, who lived in Benoni area at the time, connived and faked Robbie Smith death, claiming he died in a car crash in Vosloorus.
Subsequently an insurance claim was registered at Old Mutual, which resulted in a pay-out of just over R1.7 million.
Hawks spokesperson Lloyd Ramovha says the couple was traced to a hideout in Knysna and was arrested on Tuesday following a court order.
"The couple quietly left Gauteng to KwaZulu-Natal after receiving the jackpot. They eventually settled in the Western Cape, Knysna area, also known as the Garden Route which is a tourist destination.
"In 2020, Old Mutual was tipped off about the possibility that they were scammed as Smith was apparently very much alive. Following an internal probe, a docket of fraud was opened. Upon searching their place, two unlicensed firearms were recovered. A case of unlawful possession of firearms has now been included."
The pair is expected to appear in the Knysna Magistrate's Court and will later be transferred to a Gauteng court to face the initial charge of fraud next week.
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