Cape Town – A 27-year-old suspected dating scammer and his 32-year-old accomplice are set to appear in court after being arrested by the police in Polokwane on December 12, 2023.
The victim, who met the suspect in September, was lured into a relationship.
“During September this year, the victim randomly met the suspect in Polokwane who was driving a white Mercedes Benz and they started dating. While enjoying the new love, the victim told the suspect about her personal problems and the suspect promised to hook her up with the spiritual healer (prophetess) who was going to cast away all her problems.
“The victim alleged that she was introduced to the prophetess who told her she was going to assist in getting rid of the problems. According to the victim, they engaged in prayers with the suspect and the prophetess for about a week.
“In one of the prayer sessions, the prophetess came driving a BMW X6 carrying R4 million hard-cash in a bag. The victim was told the money was hers from her ancestors but she had to pay 10% of the total amount in order to get it,” police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Matimba Maluleke said.
Desperate, the victim took out a loan of R650 000 and gave it to the prophetess. When she later tried to contact them, the suspects were unreachable.
The victim then discovered her particulars were fraudulently used to rent a luxury house in Woodhill Estate, Polokwane.
Reporting the incident to the Hawks, an investigative team found two vehicles (a Mercedes Benz and a BMW X6) at the address linked to the suspects. On December 12, 2023, the suspects were arrested in Potchefstroom, North West Province, after being spotted in a Mercedes Benz.
The Provincial Head of the Hawks in Limpopo Province, Major General Gopz Govender, expressed gratitude to the investigation team, highlighting the complexity of dating scam cases where victims lose fortunes in the name of love. He anticipates more arrests as other cases are still under investigation.
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
