Two women are behind bars after being arrested in connection with a fraudulent travel scheme that swindled victims, including several from the Northern Cape, out of nearly R1.9 million, related to a promised trip to Thailand.
TWO WOMEN are behind bars after being arrested in connection with a fraudulent travel scheme that swindled victims, including several from the Northern Cape, out of nearly R1.9 million, related to a promised trip to Thailand.
The pair, aged 59 and 53, were apprehended by the Western Cape Provincial Commercial Crimes Investigation Unit in Strand on November 22.
The scam targeted unsuspecting individuals from across South Africa, including the Northern Cape, who were lured by a social media advertisement promising an all-inclusive trip to Thailand.
According to Western Cape provincial police spokesperson Lieutenant-Colonel Malcolm Pojie, the advertisement, posted between June 1, 2022, and July 30, 2024, required each participant to pay R26,000, which allegedly covered travel and accommodation costs.
A total of 80 victims, drawn from various provinces including Gauteng, the Northern Cape, the Eastern Cape, and the Western Cape, paid the required amount into the suspects’ bank accounts. However, the promised holiday never materialised.
As the victims began to suspect foul play, reports were filed at various police stations nationwide.
The cases were centralised and investigated in the Western Cape. During questioning, the suspects failed to provide a satisfactory explanation regarding the misappropriated funds. Investigators determined that the money had been siphoned off, leading to the suspects’ arrests at their residences in Strand on Friday, November 22.
The duo are currently detained and face charges of fraud, theft, and money laundering under the Prevention and Combating of Corrupt Activities Act 12 of 2004. They are expected to appear in the Strand Magistrates’ Court on Monday, November 25.
Authorities are urging anyone who believes they may have been a victim of the scam to come forward.
