Alleged romance scam in Pretoria: Woman defrauded of R365,000 and vehicle

A 44-year-old man was arrested in Pretoria following allegations that he was involved in a romantic scam that defrauded a woman of a staggering R365 000 and her Toyota Fortuner.

The suspect was arrested on March 6, by members of the Hawks’ Serious Commercial Crime Investigation Unit in Pretoria.

The fraud case was initially opened in June 2023, when the victim reported that she had been tricked into handing over large sums of money and her vehicle.

Police allege that the victim was romantically involved with a Congolese national, who is still at large.

Police spokesperson, Christopher Singo, said the suspect reportedly posed as a businessman and convinced the victim to send him money under the false promise that he would use it to clear goods shipped from overseas.

He allegedly presented fraudulent documents to back-up his claims.

"It is reported that the victim withdrew all her savings and deposited the funds into various bank accounts provided by the suspect, one of which belonged to the 44-year-old suspect," Singo said.

It is further alleged that the victim was coerced into selling her vehicle, and the proceeds were also handed over to her partner.

Meanwhile, authorities are still searching for the main suspect and other individuals who received the fraudulent funds in their bank accounts.

The suspect, whose identity has yet to be disclosed, faced charges of fraud and money laundering when he appeared in the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court on Friday, March 7.

Cape Argus