R2 Million Romance Fraud: South African and Ugandan Suspects Apprehended
A South African businesswoman, alongside two Ugandan nationals, has been arrested for their involvement in a romance scam that defrauded victims of an estimated R2 million.
The trio is accused of running a sophisticated scheme where they exploited individuals looking for romantic relationships, particularly through online platforms.
According to authorities, the scam involved the businesswoman posing as a wealthy individual and using false identities to develop emotional connections with victims.
The Ugandan nationals allegedly assisted in facilitating the scam, with one acting as a “money mule” to receive and launder the illicit funds, while the other reportedly provided logistical support.
Victims, often targeted by fake profiles on social media or dating sites, were led to believe they were in a genuine relationship.
They were convinced to send large sums of money under various pretenses, such as assisting with supposed emergencies or facilitating the “costs” of moving to be together.
The scam came to light after several victims reported the fraudulent activities to the police, prompting an investigation that culminated in the arrests.
The suspects are facing multiple charges, including fraud and money laundering, and investigations are ongoing to trace additional victims and any accomplices who may be involved in the operation.