The Hawk’s Serious Commercial Crime Investigation ensured that the Gqeberha Specialised Commercial Crime Court convicted and sentenced Florika Shenay Owusu (29) and Abongile Tyusha (28) for charges of fraud and money laundering on 28 June 2024.
From 14 November 2019 to 30 June 2021, Owusu and Tyusha were employed as bank consultants at ABSA branch that is based in Humansdorp. Amongst their duties were to issue clients with bank cards as well as to assist them with bank enquiries. The information exposed that both accused fraudulently opened bank accounts with the intention to transfer cash from various client’s dormant bank accounts into their fraudulent account.
Furthermore, the accused reportedly withdrew cash which was fraudulently transferred in various areas of Hankey and surroundings. The transactions were made in tranches as a result ABSA suffered a loss of over R1 million. Further information divulged that the bank conducted its internal audit and picked up discrepancies, then the matter was reported to the Hawks for further probe.
The investigations by the Hawks led to the arrest of both accused on 27 July 2022 and they made their first court appearance on 28 July 2022. They were both released on R1000 bail each.
They made several court appearances until their sentencing by the Gqeberha Specialised Commercial Crime Court on 28 June 2024. The duo was sentenced to undergo six years’ direct imprisonment with no option of a fine.
The Acting Provincial Head Brigadier Fernando Luis gave a thumbs up to the investigating team for making sure that the accused eventually gets the sentencing they deserve.
