A 30-year-old man from Kroonstad was arrested in the free state because he is said to deliver a head of a stunning R2.8 million through an extensive fake gold trading plan
This fraudulent operation, which spanned a few months between September and December 2023, eventually crushed the hope of the victim on a lucrative return on an investment that he thought would guarantee his financial future.
Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks) spokesperson, Lieutenant -Kolonel Zweli Mohobeli, said the victim, believing he invested In a lucrative opportunity to exchange gold in the United States, handed money in deadlines to the alleged scammer, Francois du Preez.
Du Preez would have presented himself as a financial adviser and promised the farmer considerably return.
As months passed without signs of returns, suspicions grew from the farmer.
The case was ultimately recorded by detectives from the Serious Commercial Crime Investigation Unit in Welcome.
“When the detectives learned from serious commercial crimes in Welcome to this, they gathered evidence and approached the court. On Wednesday 26 March, Du Preez was arrested on an order and immediately secured for the Heilbron Magistrates Court,” said Mohobeleli.
Du Perez is expected to return to the court on March 28, where he will receive several charges, Including fraud, money launderingAnd contrary to the Financial Advisory and Intermediary Services Act 37 of 2002.
In the meantime, the acting provincial head of the Hawks, Brigadier Paulus Mbongo, insisted on the public to get caution and to verify the legitimacy of financial advisers before he invests.
“It is advisable to use entities and persons that have been licensed by the Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA),” said Mbongo.
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Wendy Dondolo
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