Former Teacher Loses R1.8 Million in Dating Scam

A former teacher has lost R1.8 million in a dating scam after meeting a Ghanaian man at Tubatse Crossing Mall in Burgersfort, Limpopo, in January 2023.

The man began contacting her in August, and they quickly started dating. He suggested they start a business together and claimed to have found two trucks needed for the venture, which he said would cost R3 million.

According to Warrant Officer Lethunya Mmuroa from the Limpopo Hawks, the teacher went with the man to a bank in Phalaborwa, where she transferred R1.8 million to his account.

After the transfer, she returned home and waited for the trucks to be delivered. However, when she tried to contact her boyfriend, he did not answer his phone.

Worried, she attempted to find him but discovered he was missing. The teacher then reported the situation to the police, leading to a case of theft that was handed over to the Hawks’ Serious Commercial Crime Investigation Unit for further investigation.

The Hawks’ investigation revealed that the money had been transferred to an account belonging to 33-year-old Mohoto Mangwejana.

After completing their inquiries, the case was referred to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), which approved a warrant for Mangwejana’s arrest.

On December 5, the Hawks located and arrested Mangwejana in the North West province. He appeared in Praktiseer Magistrates Court on December 6, facing charges of theft and fraud.

The court has postponed the case until December 11 for a bail application. Meanwhile, authorities are still searching for the Ghanaian suspect.

Major-General Advocate Gopz Govender, head of the Limpopo Hawks, has urged the community to be cautious of dating scams.