Latest news with #DirectorateforPriorityCrimesInvestigation
The Citizen
06-06-2025
- The Citizen
Bogus lawyer ordered to pay back murder accused client's R40k
The fake lawyer was rearrested after his sentencing for another fraud case in Gauteng. A 32-year-old man has been ordered to pay back money he received unlawfully from a client while posing as a lawyer back in 2019. On Thursday, the Bethal Magistrate's Court in Mpumalanga instructed Doctor Sobetha to pay back R40 000 he received from a client that he tried to conduct a bail application for. Four-year sentence Sobetha has been ordered to pay the client – who was charged with murder – R3 000 in monthly instalments until the last cent is paid up. According to the Directorate for Priority Crimes Investigation (Hawks), the order to pay back the money was made in addition to a sentence of four years behind bars, with the option to pay a R20 000 fine. This was after the bogus lawyer pleaded guilty to the charges. 'Two years of his four-year imprisonment were suspended for five years on condition that he is not found guilty of a similar offence,' Hawks regional spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Magonseni Nkosi said. Sobetha arrested in court The bogus lawyer was arrested after a state prosecutor found fault in his arguments during court proceedings. Sobetha was then asked to prove that he was a legal practitioner before the court, but failed to do so. ALSO READ: Bogus doctor bust in Havenside sting operation He was arrested by members of the Secunda-based Serious Organised Crime investigation unit who were in attendance. Hawks nab bogus lawyer in KZN 'The matter was referred to the Hawks Secunda-based Serious Commercial Crime investigation unit for further investigation. The suspect, Sobetha, was granted bail in 2024 and never set foot in court again,' Nkosi said. 'Investigation led members of the Hawks' tactical operations management system to Durban, where the suspect was arrested on 22 May 2025.' Sobetha was brought back to Mpumalanga, where he first appeared in the Bethal Magistrate's Court on 30 May. Sobetha rearrested after sentencing He was rearrested immediately after sentencing on Thursday for a fraud case in Moroka, Gauteng, dating back to 2023. He is now in police custody in Gauteng. Hawks provincial head Major General Nico Gerber warned people to only consult with registered legal advisers. 'It is concerning if people are defrauded by people like Sobetha whose formal education does not even go beyond high school level,' Gerber said. NOW READ: Hawks investigating Peet and Melany Viljoen for fraud with Tammy Taylor franchises
IOL News
05-06-2025
- IOL News
Pietermaritzburg businesswoman accused of defrauding Covid-19 TERS of R4 million
File A Pietermaritzburg businesswoman has been arrrested for allegedly defrauding the Covid-19 Temporary Employee Relief Scheme. Almost three years after a Pietermaritzburg businesswoman allegedly defrauded the Covid-19 Temporary Employee Relief Scheme (TERS) of millions, she made her first appearance in court this week. Sindisiwe Mdluli-Myeza was arrested on Wednesday, June 4, 2025, by the Directorate for Priority Crimes Investigation (known as the Hawks) on charges of fraud and money laundering. According to Lieutenant Colonel Simphiwe Mhlongo, it is alleged that during the period between November 2020 and October 2022, Mdluli-Myeza applied for the Covid-19 relief fund from the Department of Employment and Labour. "She claimed R4,229,044.61 from the Temporary Employee Relief Scheme. Preliminary investigation revealed that no employees were employed by her company, and the company was not entitled to claim."
IOL News
28-05-2025
- IOL News
Limpopo driving school instructors, traffic examiners arrested for fraud
The Hawks in Limpopo have arrested four suspects at the Lephalale Police Station in a driving license fraud case. Two driving school instructors, a traffic examiner, and a former traffic officer have been nabbed in connection with the fraudulent issuing of driver's licences. The four were arrested on Wednesday morning in Limpopo by the Directorate for Priority Crimes Investigation (Hawks) on allegations of fraud, corruption, and money laundering. The suspects, aged between 37 and 61, were arrested in the Lephalale area and are expected to appear in the Lephalale Magistrate's Court today. Hawks spokesperson Warrant Officer Lethunya Mmuroa, it is alleged that in 2021, examiners at the Lephalale Testing Station colluded with the driving school owners and defrauded the Department of Road and Transport by issuing learner's and driver's licenses without following proper procedures in exchange for bribes. 'The information was brought to the attention of the Polokwane-based Hawks' Serious Corruption Investigation (SCI) and the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC),' Mmuroa said.
IOL News
26-05-2025
- IOL News
Fraudster posing as US government official swindles R100,000 from victim
The suspect is alleged to have used Facebook for his scam. A 29-year-old man who posed as a US government official and swindled almost R100,000 is expected to appear in the Bloemfontein Magistrate's Court on Monday. The man who was arrested by the Directorate for Priority Crimes Investigation (known as the Hawks) faces charges of fraud and money laundering. Provincial Hawks spokesperson Warrant Officer Fikiswa Matoti said the arrest follows an extensive investigation into fraud allegations, including the swindling of R85,800 from an unsuspecting victim in December 2022. 'It is alleged that the complainant was contacted via e-mail by a suspect who introduced himself as a representative of the government of the United States of America. The complainant was promised a Covid-19-related grant on condition that she deposit money into a certain bank account,' Matoti said.
IOL News
26-05-2025
- IOL News
How a Facebook scammer posing as a US official was caught in the Western Cape
The suspect is alleged to have used Facebook for his scam. A 29-year-old man who posed as a US government official and swindled almost R100,000 is expected to appear in the Bloemfontein Magistrate's Court on Monday. The man who was arrested by the Directorate for Priority Crimes Investigation (known as the Hawks) faces charges of fraud and money laundering. Provincial Hawks spokesperson Warrant Officer Fikiswa Matoti said the arrest follows an extensive investigation into fraud allegations, including the swindling of R85,800 from an unsuspecting victim in December 2022. 'It is alleged that the complainant was contacted via e-mail by a suspect who introduced himself as a representative of the government of the United States of America. The complainant was promised a Covid-19-related grant on condition that she deposit money into a certain bank account,' Matoti said.
