2022 has largely been marked by media consumers’ fascination with swindlers and fraudsters. From the Tinder Swindler Simon Leviev to Anna Sorokin (AKA Anna Delvy the fake German Heiress) swindling has been the sweep consuming the world’s attention.
Two cases closer to home that also kept many people at home and not on the luxurious holidays they were promised are the alleged Holiday Swindlers Jamie Hughes and Tasneem Moosa.
Hughes was accused of stealing pictures and information about Da Heim and created social media pages to lure holidaymakers in, getting people to pay deposits before disappearing.
Also read:Booking a trip or on the road to nowhere? ‘Holiday Swindling’ in South Africa
Tasneem Moosa, the ‘CEO’ of Hello Darlings has become the media’s fascination largely due to the number of cases lodged against the company. These are based on promised vacations that did not come to be for many South Africans.
According to the well-known veteran journalist Yusuf Abramjee, there are 310 cases that have now been registered with the SAPS, totalling R26 608 060.
Moosa allegedly hooked victims’ cleverly, allowing the Hello Darlings venture to flourish by delivering luxurious vacations as promised at first, and then slowly failing to deliver on what had been paid for.
Anyone who watched either the Tinder Swindler or Inventing Anna will know that this is a sure way to lure people in. Leviev did pay back his victims initially (using money from other victims of course), and Anna delivered in her role as an ‘heiress’ by spending large sums of money when she had it.
The idea of Hello Darlings as a reputable travel agency was also furthered by influencers who promoted the business, creating the illusion.
What’s happened since the local swindling news broke?
In recent developments, Moosa was set to be interviewed by Yusuf Abramjee. It was supposed to happen this morning, but just like many other alleged promises, failed to come to fruition. Abramjee had asked Moosa a few questions prior, to which she had responded.
In the first leg of questions, Moosa expressed that attorneys are “reaching out to creditors for liquidation process,” that she has not skipped the country but has lived out of the country for years, and that she and her family have been receiving threats – hence her keeping her location secret. She also claimed that the figures being reported regarding the incident are inaccurate.
She further added that she “did not set out to harm anyone or take their money. I was just trying to give the [SA] public good holidays at affordable prices.”
#HelloDarlings I texted Hello Darlings CEO, Tasneem Moosa, dubbed the Travel Swinder, with questions. She has responded… pic.twitter.com/bW0EymYzPE
— Yusuf Abramjee (@Abramjee) March 13, 2022
Abramjee conferred the news of Moosa’s recent endeavour of opting out of further interview questions via his announcement titled ‘ALLEGED TRAVEL SWINDLER CHICKENS OUT OF INTERVIEW’.
In his words, he expressed that ‘Tazz Moosa’ had chickened out of the interview that was set for 9 am today. The previous day she had texted him asking about times and requested that he send her a list of questions beforehand.
“In this matter, it is clear that you represent the refund due individuals so my attorney has advised against interviews, however, I am willing to be interviewed telephonically with the list of questions presented prior to interviews, as I believe that you will remain unbiased and factual as your role dictates?” Moosa said via text.
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Picture: @Abramjee/ Twitter