WESTERN CAPE – The Bellville based Serious Commercial Crime Investigation team of the Hawks assisted by Metro Police have on Friday 24 July 2026, arrested two suspects, aged 37 and 46, for over R14 million romance fraud and money laundering scheme.
Their arrest follow that of five accused, Asanda Dwesini, Nomphelo Fetman, Brazil Hendricks, Shan Lewis, and Lavina Opel who were arrested earlier this year on this matter after they exploited an elderly woman from the period 2017 to 2018.
The scheme involved creating fake profile on a dating website to manipulate the victim. It is reported that the alleged lover lured the victim by using flirtatious language making her believe that they are in a genuine relationship.
Once trust was established, he would ask for money, inventing reasons such as failed trips or urgent fines.
The victim transferred money into various bank accounts shared by the alleged lover. This was often repeated until the victim became suspicious.
The fraudsters gained the victim’s trust and built a relationship with her. He made everything about the romance to feel normal, but his aim was to extort her.
The two suspects will be joined by their co-accused in the Muizenberg Magistrate’s Court on Monday, 27 July 2026.