Hawks investigators in the Eastern Cape have targeted a syndicate of bogus traditional healers who duped victims into investing millions with them to “double their money”.
Currently seven cases are being investigated by the Hawks and three suspects have been arrested.
Many of the victims are government employees with teachers and nurses topping the list.
Hawks spokeswoman Anelisa Feni warned the public about the scam which has left many families destitute.
“The Hawks has established that this is the work of a syndicate. We urgently warn the public at large concerning this scam which has so far defrauded a number of people, mostly women, of their government pensions.
“This leaves victims and their children destitute. Several cases have been reported and people are encouraged to come forward,” Feni said.
She said the exact amount involved was not known, but it was believed to run into “millions of rands”.
Hawks provincial head Major-General Nyameko Nogwanya said they were working around the clock to close the net.
“We don’t want to be accused of xenophobia but the accused are alleged to be foreign African nationals,” Nogwanya said.
The Hawks say these suspects target people in townships and rural areas.
Feni said that, commonly, the victims were female single parents who are 45 years and older.
“The alleged traditional healer would convince these women to resign from work, cash in the money which will later be multiplied by the ancestors.”
Feni said in most cases, the potential victim at first was approached by a man interested in developing a romantic relationship with her.
After establishing this relationship, he either discloses to her that he is a traditional healer who is able to solve her financial problems or he wants to introduce her to a traditional healer who can solve her monetary woes.
“After agreeing to allow him to help her, she then undergoes a number of traditional cleansing ceremonies and consultations with her ancestors.
“The consultations with the ancestors are then either conducted in graveyards or a dark room with a curtain that is supposed to separate her and her ancestors,” Feni explained.
Once the victim’s pension money is paid out, the traditional healer then instructs the victim to give it to him in the form of hard cash or by transferring it into their bank accounts.
During the process, the victim is told not to tell anyone “as the money won’t multiply”.
The traditional healer, thereafter, delivers a trunk or bags which he claims are housing this pension money.
The victim is then told to wait for a few days before opening the bag and not to tell anyone about the matter or else the money will not multiply.
“These are all lies. The victims get blank papers,” Feni said.
Yesterday, the Dispatch tried to speak to a few victims who reported their cases to the Hawks but they did not want to talk “as the matter was under investigation”.
The Hawks said they continued to receive correspondence from family members of people whom they believed were in the process of becoming victims of the scam.
“We are told that these people unexpectedly resign from work and are unwilling to tell their families why they have done so. Families are worried,” Feni said.
Two years ago, the Dispatch reported on the story of teacher Nyanisa Virginia Mseleni who was allegedly duped of R1.69-million by a herbalist, “Prof Jameal”, who promised her that her money would multiply to R8-million.
Speaking to Dispatch last week, provincial education spokesman Mali Mtima said they always advised teachers about their pension money when they retire from work.
“The department plays its part by engaging them and advising them of available options to invest. But we can only go that far as they have the final say in their money matters,” Mtima said.
“People should be aware and not risk their hard-earned money on investments that are not legitimate. They should listen to advice, these scams are real.”
Police would not release the names of the arrested suspects but one was expected back in court this Friday while another one would appear on August 5. A third suspect has apparently fled the country and a warrant of arrest has been issued.
lAnyone with information that could lead to more arrests, must please contact the investigating officers at (043)709-0540/ (047)502-5900/ (041)408-2611. — bonganif@dispatch.co.za
Hawks hit fraudulent Sangoma syndicate
Currently seven cases are being investigated by the Hawks and three suspects have been arrested.
Many of the victims are government employees with teachers and nurses topping the list.
Hawks spokeswoman Anelisa Feni warned the public about the scam which has left many families destitute.
“The Hawks has established that this is the work of a syndicate. We urgently warn the public at large concerning this scam which has so far defrauded a number of people, mostly women, of their government pensions.
“This leaves victims and their children destitute. Several cases have been reported and people are encouraged to come forward,” Feni said.
She said the exact amount involved was not known, but it was believed to run into “millions of rands”.
Hawks provincial head Major-General Nyameko Nogwanya said they were working around the clock to close the net.
“We don’t want to be accused of xenophobia but the accused are alleged to be foreign African nationals,” Nogwanya said.
The Hawks say these suspects target people in townships and rural areas.
Feni said that, commonly, the victims were female single parents who are 45 years and older.
“The alleged traditional healer would convince these women to resign from work, cash in the money which will later be multiplied by the ancestors.”
Feni said in most cases, the potential victim at first was approached by a man interested in developing a romantic relationship with her.
After establishing this relationship, he either discloses to her that he is a traditional healer who is able to solve her financial problems or he wants to introduce her to a traditional healer who can solve her monetary woes.
“After agreeing to allow him to help her, she then undergoes a number of traditional cleansing ceremonies and consultations with her ancestors.
“The consultations with the ancestors are then either conducted in graveyards or a dark room with a curtain that is supposed to separate her and her ancestors,” Feni explained.
Once the victim’s pension money is paid out, the traditional healer then instructs the victim to give it to him in the form of hard cash or by transferring it into their bank accounts.
During the process, the victim is told not to tell anyone “as the money won’t multiply”.
The traditional healer, thereafter, delivers a trunk or bags which he claims are housing this pension money.
The victim is then told to wait for a few days before opening the bag and not to tell anyone about the matter or else the money will not multiply.
“These are all lies. The victims get blank papers,” Feni said.
Yesterday, the Dispatch tried to speak to a few victims who reported their cases to the Hawks but they did not want to talk “as the matter was under investigation”.
The Hawks said they continued to receive correspondence from family members of people whom they believed were in the process of becoming victims of the scam.
“We are told that these people unexpectedly resign from work and are unwilling to tell their families why they have done so. Families are worried,” Feni said.
Two years ago, the Dispatch reported on the story of teacher Nyanisa Virginia Mseleni who was allegedly duped of R1.69-million by a herbalist, “Prof Jameal”, who promised her that her money would multiply to R8-million.
Speaking to Dispatch last week, provincial education spokesman Mali Mtima said they always advised teachers about their pension money when they retire from work.
“The department plays its part by engaging them and advising them of available options to invest. But we can only go that far as they have the final say in their money matters,” Mtima said.
“People should be aware and not risk their hard-earned money on investments that are not legitimate. They should listen to advice, these scams are real.”
Police would not release the names of the arrested suspects but one was expected back in court this Friday while another one would appear on August 5. A third suspect has apparently fled the country and a warrant of arrest has been issued.
lAnyone with information that could lead to more arrests, must please contact the investigating officers at (043)709-0540/ (047)502-5900/ (041)408-2611. — bonganif@dispatch.co.za
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