Provincial Commercial Crimes Investigation Unit investigators have arrested two women in Strand on Friday, 22 November, in connection with fraud amounting to R1.9 million, reports Cape {town} Etc.
Also read: Fake travel agency scams 80 people out of Thailand holiday
According to police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Malcolm Pojie, the women – aged 53 and 59 – allegedly defrauded 80 victims with a scheme that advertised a travel- and accommodation-inclusive trip to Thailand.
‘Investigation reveals that between 1 June 2022 and 30 July 2024, a total number of 80 victims saw an advertisement on social media platforms about a trip to Thailand. In the advertisement, it was stated that each person should pay R26 000, which will include travelling as well as the accommodation costs,’ said Pojie.
‘It is believed that almost all the victims paid the required amount as per agreement into the bank accounts of the two suspects. When the victims realised that the trip was not going to materialise, they reported it to different police stations across the country as far as Gauteng, Northern Cape, Eastern Cape and Western Cape.’
Pojie added that after centralising the cases in the Western Cape, the suspects were interviewed at their residences in Strand on Friday, 22 November.
The two women were ‘unable to provide a satisfactory explanation of what happened to the money’ and were subsequently arrested and detained.
The suspects are expected to appear in the Strand Magistrate’s Court on Monday, 25 November, facing charges related to Fraud, Theft and Money Laundering in terms of sections 4 and 5 of Prevention and Combating of Corrupt Activities Act 12 of 2004.
Also read:
City of Cape Town calls on residents to join the fight against fraud
Picture: Evan Krause / Unsplash
