Nurse Loses R450 000 To Foreign Boyfriend And His Friends
North West police are urgently searching for three men—a Zambian, a Ugandan, and a Ghanaian—suspected of orchestrating a complex romance scam that defrauded a police detective, a nurse, and two other women out of millions of rands. These victims, who connected with the scammers through social media and online dating platforms, are now left both emotionally and financially devastated.
The scammers employed fake identities and intricate stories to gain the victims’ trust and affection over several months. After establishing emotional connections, they requested large sums of money, citing various emergencies and investment opportunities. The women, believing they were aiding their partners, transferred the funds, only to discover later they had been deceived.
Detective Sergeant Mbali Ndlovu, one of the victims, described how she was duped into financing a supposed business deal. “He was charming and persuasive. I never suspected I was being conned until it was too late,” she said. Likewise, Nurse Thandiwe Mokoena lost her life savings, thinking she was helping her partner with urgent medical expenses. “I trusted him completely. Now I am left with nothing,” Mokoena lamented.
The identities of the other two victims remain undisclosed, but they also faced financial ruin. The total amount lost by the four women is estimated to be in the millions of rands.
Police Spokesperson Captain Lerato Matlala has appealed to the public for any information leading to the suspects’ arrest. “These men are highly skilled in deception and have caused significant harm to their victims. We urge anyone with information on their whereabouts to come forward,” Matlala said.
Descriptions and photos of the suspects have been released, and the public is encouraged to contact the nearest police station or the Crime Stop hotline with any information. Public cooperation is essential to bringing these perpetrators to justice and preventing further victims.
As the investigation continues, North West police remind the public to be cautious when engaging in online relationships and to report any suspicious activities to authorities immediately.