Heartless swindlers caught: Two more arrested in R14 million romance fraud

Two suspects, Sikelelwa Nqunu and Chibuzor Joseph, are set to appear in court on July 29, following their arrest for a R14 million romance fraud and money laundering scheme that targeted an elderly woman between 2017 and 2018. Two suspected swindlers will return to the Muizenberg Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday, where they will pursue their bail bid after being arrested in connection with aR14 million romance fraudand money laundering scheme. The two accused, Sikelelwa Nqunu, 37, and Chibuzor Joseph, 46, made their first court appearance on Monday and are expected to appear alongside their co-accused Asanda Dwesini, Nomphelo Fetman, Brazil Hendricks, Shan Lewis, and Lavina Opel, who were arrested earlier this year.

The group faced criminal charges after theyexploited an elderly womanfrom 2017 to 2018. Hawks spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Siyabulela Vukubi confirmed the latest suspects, Nqunu and Joseph, were arrested on July 24. “The Bellville-based Serious Commercial Crime Investigation team of the Hawks, assisted by the metro police, arrested two suspects for over R14 million romance fraud and money laundering scheme.The scheme involved creating a fake profile on a dating website to manipulate the victim.

It is reported that the alleged lover lured the victim by using flirtatious language, making her believe that they were in a genuine relationship. “The Bellville-based Serious Commercial Crime Investigation team of the Hawks, assisted by the metro police, arrested two suspects for over R14 million romance fraud and money laundering scheme. The scheme involved creating a fake profile on a dating website to manipulate the victim.

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“Once trust was established, he would ask for money, inventing reasons such as failed trips or urgent fines. The victim transferred money into various bank accounts shared by the alleged lover. This was often repeated until the victim became suspicious.

The fraudsters gained the victim’s trust and built a relationship with her. He made everything about the romance feel normal, but he aimed to extort her,” said Vukubi.

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