Gauteng – Robbie Smith (67), who went by the alias “Chris Boschoff”, and his wife Alice Abigail Boschoff (59), are set to appear in the Knysna Magistrate’s Court for faking the husband’s death in 1999.
The couple, who resided in Benoni area at the time, faked Robbie Smith’s death.
According to South African Police Service (SAPS) spokesperson, Captain Lloyd Ramovha, Smith reportedly “died” in a motor vehicle accident in Vosloorus. Consequently, an insurance claim was registered at Old Mutual insurance, leading to a payout of just over R1.7 million.
“The couple quietly left Gauteng to KwaZulu-Natal after receiving the windfall. They eventually settled in the Western Cape, Knysna area also known as the Garden Route which is a tourist destination.
#sapsHAWKS Gauteng: Fake death claim couple arrested after 23 years. Robbie Smith (67) and his wife Alice Abigail Boschoff (59), are set to appear in the Knysna Magistrate’s Court today for faking the husband death in 1999. MEhttps://t.co/yB1DC4rXXV pic.twitter.com/aXjn1nXM1J
— SA Police Service ?? (@SAPoliceService) November 9, 2022
“Around 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 registered in October 2020 and assigned to the Hawks ‘Serious Commercial Crime for investigation,” Ramovha said.
The team traced the couple to a hideout in Knysna and they were arrested on Tuesday, November 08 on a court order.
Upon searching their place, two unlicensed firearms were recovered. Police confirmed that a case of unlawful possession of firearms had been included.
The couple will be transferred to a Gauteng court to face the initial charge of fraud in the next week.
Follow African Insider on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram
Picture: Pixabay
For more African news, visit Africaninsider.com
Compiled by Junaid Benjamin
