Cape Town – Two women, aged 53 and 59, have been arrested in the Western Cape for allegedly defrauding 80 people of R1.9 million through a fake Thailand trip scam.
“Investigation reveals that between June 2022 and July 2024, a total number of 80 victims saw an advertisement on social media platforms about a trip to Thailand,” police spokesperson Lieutenant-Colonel Malcolm Pojie said.
The advertisement required individuals to pay R26,000, covering travel and accommodation costs. Most victims transferred the amount to the suspects’ bank accounts as agree
#sapsWC Investigators attached to the Provincial Commercial Crimes Investigation Unit arrested two females aged 59 and 53 on 22 November 2024 in Strand in connection with fraud amounting to approximately R1.9 million, meant for a promised trip to Thailand. ML… pic.twitter.com/4i7LBoaMPA
— SA Police Service 🇿🇦 (@SAPoliceService) November 24, 2024
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“When the victims realised that the trip is not going to materialise, they reported it to different police stations across the country as far as Gauteng, the Northern Cape, Eastern Cape and Western Cape,” Pojie said.
Police investigations found no satisfactory explanation for the missing funds.
The suspects face charges of fraud, theft, and money laundering and will appear in the Strand Magistrate’s Court.
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
