By: ANG Reporter
Two suspects aged 25 and 57 charged with fraud and money laundering appeared in the Lenasia Regional Court today, following their arrest on Wednesday by the Hawks’ Serious Commercial Crime Investigation team in Johannesburg, the Hawks announced.
Spokesperson Captain Ndivhuwo Mulamu said the investigation team executed a warrant of arrest against the two additional accused, Zain Muhammed Valle (57) and Michelle Bianca Bezuidenhout (25) at their respective residence in Lenasia and Alberton.
“Their arrest emanated from the alleged crypto currency establishment scam where the complainant was lured to invest in Siyakhula Logistics Pty (LTD) in February 2020, with a potential lucrative dividends,” said Mulamu.
He added that the complainant allegedly transferred approximately R34 million into the establishment and Bezuidenhout’s bank accounts, on different transactions.
“Valle and Bezuidenhout joined Jarrod de Lange (32) in the dock today, who was arrested in 2020 by the Lenasia police for the same charges. Allegations are that Valle introduced the complainant to his business acquaintance, de Lange to enter into a partnership in the crypto currency establishment but the money was used for Liverage Trading company without the complainant’s consent.”
Mulamu added: “Valle and Bezuidenhout were granted R10 000 bail each, whereas Bezuidenhout’s husband and co-accused, de Lange was released on a R20 000 bail.”
Major General Ebrahim Kadwa, the Provincial Head in Gauteng commended the investigation team for the intensive investigation undertaken in apprehending the accused on these crypto currency investment scams.
“Over the last two years, the DPCI has witnessed the emergence of crypto currency investment scams where unsuspecting potential investors are lured into these scams with exorbitant dividends. The public is advised to do proper due diligence before investing in such harmful business practices where they could loose their hard earned life savings,”said Kadwa.
The case was postponed to 19 July 2022 for legal representation.
