Welkom fraudster finally brought to book

June 29, 2024 50 1

Welkom fraudster finally brought to book

One of the most wanted men in Lejweleputswa, the alleged fraudster, Charles Sekonyela, has been apprehended after he was linked to several kidnappings and extortions.

The 37-year-old Sekonyela was eventually detained after a member of the public tipped off police officials of the Welkom Flying Squad regarding his whereabouts.

The information was operationalised on 21 May at about 17:30 by the Welkom Flying Squad and the investigation team of Provincial Organised Crime and approached a house in Naudeville and arrested a 37-year-old man.

The police seized a blue Mazda CX-5 during the arrest.

On the 21 September 2022 a 59-year-old mine pensioner was approached by three men and a woman who pretended to be selling cars. He paid them R43 000.

Sekonyela pretended to be a car dealer. He and the victim drove to Bloemfontein under the pretence of changing the car’s ownership.

On the way the suspect stopped beside the road and picked up a hitch hiker (who was part of the scam). He told the driver that he does not have cash, but they must go to his home in Bloemfontein so that he can pay for transport.

Soon after they entered the house there was a knock on the door, and two people pretending to be police officers demanded to search the house.

While they were searching, they claimed to have found gold like material.

The bogus police officers demanded money. Sekonyela knew that the pensioner had money and he compelled him to go with him to the bank and withdraw R10 000.

The bogus police let them go, and the pensioner never got the vehicle that he had bought. He tried to phone Sekonyela several times, but could not get hold of him. This is when he went to register a case of kidnapping and extortion.

Warrant of his arrests were issued and his picture was placed on social media, as a wanted person. The pensioner was extorted of R53 000. The suspect is facing charges of kidnapping, extortion and fraud.

In another incident during July 2023 in Bronville, there was a warrant issued for the accused’s arrest after a victim was kidnapped and extorted of R150 000.

In Welkom and Odendaalsrus, warrant of arrests were issued after cases of kidnapping and extortion were registered during June 2021 and April 2022 respectively.

Another victim saw the photo of Charles Sekonyela on social media and he will now also be charged for pretending to be a private investigator and defrauded the victim with R7 400 at Ventersburg in February 2024.

Sekonyela appeared in the Welkom Magistrate’s court on 23 May.

Written by: goldfmc1

Crime