Cybercrime Support Network-CSN.ZA

Cybercrime Support Network-CSN.ZA Dedicated to uncovering fraud, helping victims, and supporting justice in South Africa.

Fraud breakthrough: Nigerian suspect arrested in probe into R20 million investment scamIn an ongoing battle against fina...
25/06/2025

Fraud breakthrough: Nigerian suspect arrested in probe into R20 million investment scam
In an ongoing battle against financial crimes, the Hawks' Serious Commercial Crime Unit arrested a 55-year-old Nigerian national, Nwachimere Collins Ofoegbu, on charges of fraud, theft, and breaching the Prevention of Organised Crime Act (POCA).
The arrest marks a significant milestone in an investigation that traces back to November 2022, when a wealthy businessman reported being duped into a fraudulent investment scheme.
Hawks spokesperson, Lieutenant Colonel Lloyd Ramovha said investigations revealed a complex scheme that allegedly began in 2018 when the victim, lured by promises of high returns, was misled by fraudsters who impersonated high-ranking CEOs from major banks and officials from the South African Reserve Bank.
Ramovha said the scheme was conducted through calculated deception facilitated via enticing emails where the scammers managed to convince the businessman to part with large sums of US dollars, transferred to various bank accounts, including those at First National Bank (FNB) and the Bank of China. Some transactions even occurred with institutions based in London.
Ramovha said meetings related to the fraudulent activities were not only held in South Africa but also spanned locations as far as the United Arab Emirates and London.
"By 2020, when the businessman attempted to withdraw the promised interest, he was met with evasions. Seeking assistance, the victim engaged the services of a forensic company, which helped uncover the fraud. By this time, he had lost over R20 million," said Ramovha.
He said after thorough investigation, the Randburg Magistrate's Court authorised arrest warrants for two suspects on January 28, 2025.
On Monday, February 10, 2025, the investigation team received information that one of the main suspects, Ofoegbu, had been arrested by Sandton Visible Policing members.
"Ofoegbu's two palatial residential addresses at Waterfall Estate and Waterfall Village were visited and the properties are believed to be proceeds of crime. The investigation has so far linked the accused to a transaction of R1.2 million received from the victim," he said.
Ofoegbu appeared in the Randburg Magistrate's Court on Tuesday where the case was transferred to Wynberg Magistrate's Court.
He was remanded in custody and will appear in court on February 18 for a formal bail application.
"The team is actively pursuing the second suspect, who remains at large," said Ramovha.

🚨 Identity Theft Skyrockets by 400% in South Africa: Victims Trapped in Bureaucratic LimboSouth Africa is facing a stagg...
24/06/2025

🚨 Identity Theft Skyrockets by 400% in South Africa: Victims Trapped in Bureaucratic Limbo
South Africa is facing a staggering surge in identity theft, with reported cases increasing by 400% from April 2023 to April 2024, according to the Southern African Fraud Prevention Service (SAFPS). The dramatic spike is leaving countless victims in distress, stripped of their legal identity and struggling to reclaim their lives.
One such victim is Zabe Shingange, a resident of Nkowankowa in Tzaneen, Limpopo, whose life was upended after her identity document (ID) was stolen during a business trip to Gauteng in 2007.
“I lost my ID while staying at a hotel in Boksburg North for a job interview. Though I reported it stolen, my ID was blocked due to a police investigation. Six months later, I was dismissed from my new job for failing to present valid identification,” Shingange said.
The consequences were devastating. Fraudsters used her identity to make purchases and defaulted on payments, resulting in her being blacklisted. “For years, I lived like a ghost. I couldn’t access essential services, and it took nearly five years before I was issued a new ID in 2011,” she added.
The SAFPS has raised concerns that law enforcement is not treating identity theft with the urgency it deserves. Nazia Karrim, SAFPS Head of Product Development, urged authorities to adopt a more proactive approach.
“Our police have the skills, but they don’t prioritize single cases of identity theft. Grouping and investigating them collectively could improve outcomes. Public awareness and digital security are also critical,” said Karrim.
Another harrowing case involves Elsie Mgwenya from Bushbuckridge, Mpumalanga, whose ID was fraudulently used in a sham marriage to a Pakistani national. She only discovered the fake marriage in 2017 when applying for her son’s birth certificate.
“They told me I was married to a man named Muhammad since 2004. I was shocked. I’ve been trying for years to get the fraudulent marriage annulled, but Home Affairs has failed to assist. My son still has no birth certificate, and I can't legally marry the man I love,” Mgwenya explained.
The Public Servants Association (PSA) has also stepped forward, calling for swift and decisive action. One of its members was recently declared deceased with a forged death certificate—an elaborate scam likely linked to a criminal syndicate targeting life insurance payouts.
“This isn’t just about paperwork; it’s about stolen lives,” said the PSA in a statement. “Identity theft is often linked to organized syndicates, and authorities must act with urgency.”
Criminologist Willem Els emphasized that identity theft is difficult to combat without significant investment in police training and resources. Professor Witness Maluleke of the University of Limpopo agreed, stating that current law enforcement lacks the necessary tools and systems to respond effectively.
“Officers often react to these crimes without proactive measures. A national strategy is urgently needed to curb this growing crisis,” Maluleke said.
As identity theft continues to rise at an alarming rate, calls for systemic reform grow louder—from victims, experts, and unions alike. Without decisive action, more South Africans risk becoming invisible in the eyes of the very systems meant to protect them.

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