Fraudster steals R18m in elaborate housing scam
A man was arrested for fraud after running an elaborate scam in the Durban CBD, Point area and Berea as well as elsewhere in KZN and South Africa.
A FRAUDULENT ‘business’ was brought to book as a 48-year-old man and his five co-accused appeared in the Durban Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, August 31. The fraudster racked up R18 million running an elaborate scam in the Durban CBD, Point area and Berea as well as elsewhere in KZN and South Africa.
Provincial spokesperson for the SAPS, Captain Nqobile Gwala said the man was in the dock for fraud charges after selling houses that did not belong to him.
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“The suspect was traced in East London where he was arrested. It is alleged that a 48-year-old man who is the mastermind behind the scam would post an advert newspapers that his company was building houses at a reduced fee. He would defraud the unsuspecting clients and disappear after a deposit was made. He was operating his fraud business at Durban CBD, Point, Pietermaritzburg, Kokstad and other areas where he had defrauded people since 2013,” she said.
Gwala added that five women were assisting the man in running the business around the province.
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“He was also wanted for other cases committed in Ladysmith, Richards Bay, Newcastle, Berea, Amanzimtoti and Scottburgh for the same offence. Most of the companies he was operating with were registered by the unsuspecting young women who would later become his girlfriends. The cash that were stolen is approximately R18 million,” said Gwala.
SAPS are appealing to people who are victims of a similar scam to contact the investigating officer Captain Ngcobo on 031 325 4105 or Crime Stop 08600 10111.
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