A 39-year-old man from KwaZulu-Natal is living in fear and on the run after discovering that his identity was stolen, his death fraudulently declared, and multiple life insurance policies taken out in his name.
The victim, whose identity is being withheld for safety reasons, recounted the shocking moment he learned he had been declared dead in September 2023. The discovery came when his bank card was declined while attempting to purchase groceries.
“I went to the ATM, and the money was there, but I couldn’t withdraw it. The system said I was ‘not authorized,'” he explained. After approaching a bank consultant, he was told that records indicated he had died two days prior in an “unnatural death.”
A Fake Death Certificate and a Body at the Mortuary
Stunned, the man rushed to the Department of Home Affairs, where officials confirmed that a death certificate had been issued in his name. A supervisor assisted him in tracing the fraudulent declaration, which led to a funeral parlour in Durban.
“They told me my body was there, waiting to be buried on Saturday,” he said. The funeral parlour claimed another company, [named] Funeral Services, was set to collect the body.
Fraudulent Life Policies and Stalled Investigations
Further investigations revealed that at least five life insurance policies had been opened under his name, with payouts already released to unknown beneficiaries. The man reported the crime, but despite providing evidence—including the mortuary details—police allegedly delayed acting.
“I begged the investigating officer to check the mortuary before the body disappeared, but he said he had to follow procedure,” the victim said. By the time authorities acted, the trail had gone cold.
No Arrests, Rising Fear
The man claims the woman who reported his death is known to police but remains free. Meanwhile, he fears for his life, believing the fraudsters may target him to legitimize the scam.
Police have yet to comment on the case, despite the victim’s pleas for urgency. Home Affairs has since corrected his status, but the financial and emotional damage remains.
A Growing Crime Trend
Identity theft and funeral fraud are rising in South Africa, with criminals exploiting systemic loopholes to claim insurance payouts. Experts urge vigilance, advising citizens to regularly check their credit and legal statuses.
As investigations drag on, the victim remains in hiding, hoping for justice before it’s too late.
