The Bloemfontein High Court granted a final forfeiture order against the suspect’s account for the remaining R270 000-00 be paid back to the victim on last Thursday 3 December 2020.
A Free State farmer who usually buys inputs from other farmers and auctions around Free State allegedly deposited an amount of R768 477-00 into the suspect’s bank account on 20 March 2020. This follows an invoice received through the email reportedly from his client notifying him about the change of banking details for payment and the money was paid.
Upon realising later that he had been defrauded, when debtors confirmed non-payment, the farmer reported the matter to the authorities and the receiving bank account was frozen with only R270 000-00 remaining in April 2020.
The Hawks preliminary investigation revealed that the suspect(s) allegedly hacked the farmer’s email and intercepted his livestock purchase deals with alternative banking details.
The investigation continues whilst there is no arrest at this stage as the address attached to the banking details were false.
South Africa Today – South Africa News
