FOUR men were arrested yesterday after they allegedly defrauded a 57-year-old East London woman out of more than R1-million through a traditional healing scam.
The arrests came after the victim who had been paying money to the bogus traditional healers opened a case last month as she suspected she was being cheated.
The woman cannot be named as the suspects have not yet appeared in court.
Members of the Hawks from East London busted the four men in Amalinda yesterday as they were ready to proceed with a cleansing ceremony for the victim.
Hawks spokesman Captain Paul Ramaloko said: “The four Ugandan men were arrested for fraud and money laundering.
“The victim is a former teacher and reportedly believed that she was depositing the money for her cleansing ceremonies and connection to the ancestors.”
In return of depositing the money, she believed her ancestors would bless her with about R8-million and she would not need to look for a job again.
The Hawks found two suspects, during a raid at the Amalinda house yesterday, preparing for the cleansing ceremony and the other two were arrested in the neighbourhood.
“It is alleged that they would request more money from her on the phone and sometimes she would hear the men pretending to be her forefathers demanding that she sends more money in order to be rich,” police spokesman Captain Stephen Marais said.
In addition to the fraud and money laundering charges the immigration status of four will also be investigated through the Department of Home Affairs.
The police have pleaded with any victims scammed by bogus traditional healers handing out pamphlets on the streets to come forward so that the perpetrators could be arrested.
Victims can contact Investigating Officer Detective Captain Lionel Hughes on 082-779-7156.
The four suspects are scheduled to appear in the East London Magistrate’s Court tomorrow . —
Four held for R1m ‘healing’ scam
The arrests came after the victim who had been paying money to the bogus traditional healers opened a case last month as she suspected she was being cheated.
The woman cannot be named as the suspects have not yet appeared in court.
Members of the Hawks from East London busted the four men in Amalinda yesterday as they were ready to proceed with a cleansing ceremony for the victim.
Hawks spokesman Captain Paul Ramaloko said: “The four Ugandan men were arrested for fraud and money laundering.
“The victim is a former teacher and reportedly believed that she was depositing the money for her cleansing ceremonies and connection to the ancestors.”
In return of depositing the money, she believed her ancestors would bless her with about R8-million and she would not need to look for a job again.
The Hawks found two suspects, during a raid at the Amalinda house yesterday, preparing for the cleansing ceremony and the other two were arrested in the neighbourhood.
“It is alleged that they would request more money from her on the phone and sometimes she would hear the men pretending to be her forefathers demanding that she sends more money in order to be rich,” police spokesman Captain Stephen Marais said.
In addition to the fraud and money laundering charges the immigration status of four will also be investigated through the Department of Home Affairs.
The police have pleaded with any victims scammed by bogus traditional healers handing out pamphlets on the streets to come forward so that the perpetrators could be arrested.
Victims can contact Investigating Officer Detective Captain Lionel Hughes on 082-779-7156.
The four suspects are scheduled to appear in the East London Magistrate’s Court tomorrow . —
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