| 2024/07/30 |
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Media Statement
WESTERN CAPE – Investigation into several cases of fraud reported in and around Mossel Bay in which 20 victims were defrauded of over R3 million in a prospective housing development led to the arrest of a 58-year-old man who made his first court appearance in the Mossel Bay Magistrates’ court on Tuesday, 30 July 2024. The investigation into these cases revealed, between 2018 and 2024 the man introduced himself as a building contractor or developer. He advertised a piece of land earmarked for a housing development in Mossel Bay on social media platforms and a total of ten individuals showed interest in the development. The victims deposited an amount to the tune of just over R1,7 million to acquire plots on the site. It was later established that the property was registered in the name of another party and the building of houses never materialized. Further investigation into another scheme also revealed that the man acted as a qualified builder who entered into agreements with prospective homeowners to build houses on another property. The individuals, nine in total, deposited just over R1,6 million into the account of the man. Some sort of construction commenced on the sites, however he disappeared soon thereafter without the delivery of the houses. A total of 19 cases were reported to police. All these dockets were transferred to the Western Cape Commercial Crime Investigations Unit based in Cape Town for further investigation. A full scale investigation commenced leading to the arrest of the man at his office in Mossel Bay on Monday, 29 July 2024. The accused made his first court appearance on 18 counts of fraud and he was remanded in custody. This matter was postponed to 06 August 2024 for a formal bail application. This is an ongoing police investigation and more charges could be added as the investigating unfolds. Ends
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