Bohlokong man arrested for allegedly defrauding community members of R150,000 boat trip.
Image: SAPS
Police have arrested a 34-year-old suspect who allegedly posed as a travel agent promising affordable boat trips to Mozambique and collected R150,000 from 30 Bohlokong residents before disappearing without a trace.
The Free State Provincial Commercial Crime Investigation Unit (CCIU) had been investigating the case since December 2023, after victims reported that their so-called agent had disappeared with a total of R150,000 meant for the trip.
Police spokesperson Captain Loraine Earle said that during this period, the victims deposited amounts ranging between R5,700 and R7,000 each into the suspect’s business account.
"However, when the time came for the trip, the suspect disappeared with the funds, leaving the victims unable to proceed with their travel plans," said Earle.
The elaborate scheme ran from March to December 2023, with the suspect allegedly luring travellers under the pretense of organising their bookings.
When the promised trip failed to materialise, victims quickly realised they had been scammed.
After months of investigation, the suspect was arrested on February 5, at his home in Bohlokong, in Bethlehem.
"A warrant of arrest was authorised and a team from the Provincial Commercial Crime Unit in the Mofutsanyana District successfully traced and arrested the suspect at his house in Bohlokong," said Earle.
The accused is set to appear before the Bethlehem Magistrate’s Court on February 6, where he will face fraud charges.
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