Man impersonates US government official in R100,000 fraud scheme
Momentum Group, a prominent player in South Africa’s financial services sector, has alerted the public to an alarming increase in scams leveraging the power of “deepfake” technology. A 29-year-old man who posed as a US government official and swindled almost R100,000 is expected to appear in the Bloemfontein Magistrate’s Court on Monday
Image: File photo.
IN AN INTRICATE fraud scheme that has left a Bloemfontein victim in shock, a 29-year-old man is poised to appear in the Bloemfontein Magistrate’s Court on Monday, facing serious charges of fraud and money laundering.
Arrested by the Directorate for Priority Crimes Investigation, popularly known as the Hawks, the suspect is alleged to have swindled nearly R100,000 from unsuspecting victims.
The arrest follows a year-long investigation that revealed a startling modus operandi. The Hawks’ provincial spokesperson, Warrant Officer Fikiswa Matoti, detailed how the scheme unfolded.
It was in December 2022 that a victim received an email from an individual claiming to be a representative of the United States government. The allegedly fraudulent message promised a Covid-19-related grant, contingent upon the victim depositing a substantial sum into a specified bank account.
“The complainant was persuaded by the suspect to transfer R85,800, with the lure of receiving aid during the pandemic,” Matoti stated.
In a deceptive twist, the scammer provided the victim with a list of other individuals purportedly qualifying for the same grant. This is where the situation took an alarming turn.
Upon noticing a familiar name on the list, the victim reached out to a friend via Facebook, only to discover that her friend had also been duped, having her account hacked by the same perpetrator. Both women became victims of a well-orchestrated scam exploiting the trust granted by personal connections.
Matoti confirmed that the investigation, spearheaded by the Hawks’ Serious Corruption Investigation unit, culminated in the successful arrest of the suspect in Strand, Western Cape, on May 21. This operation signifies a robust response to the rampant issue of online fraud, particularly methods that prey on vulnerability during times of crisis.
As this case unfolds in court, it raises significant concerns about the growing prevalence of identity theft and scams that hinge on the exploitation of trust. Experts urge the public to remain vigilant and sceptical of unsolicited offers, particularly those asking for monetary transactions or personal information.
DAILY NEWS