In a case that has rocked the nation, 42-year-old businesswoman Mmakgomo Doris Ngcobo and her two Ugandan accomplices, Derrick Nsubuga (34) and Nassazi Joan (31), appeared in the Palm Ridge Magistrate’s Court on charges of fraud amounting to R2 million. The trio, accused of orchestrating elaborate romance scams, were arrested by the Hawks, South Africa’s Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation.
Ngcobo and her co-accused allegedly preyed on unsuspecting victims through online dating platforms. One victim, whose identity is protected, met a man named “Troy” on the dating app Badoo. After transitioning their conversations to WhatsApp, “Troy” arranged a meeting in Sandton, where he introduced the victim to a woman posing as his aunt and a traditional healer.
According to Hawks spokesperson Captain Lloyd Ramovha, the “aunt” convinced the victim she needed a cleansing ritual to rid herself of bad luck. This ploy led the victim to believe that her ancestors were advising her to start a business, prompting her to withdraw R20,000 and transfer R233,000 to the scammers for “blessings.”
The situation worsened when the victim was persuaded to take out another loan. She was mysteriously robbed while en route to deliver the funds to the scammers, prompting her to report the incident to the Sandton police. The Hawks’ investigation led to the arrest of Ngcobo, Nsubuga, and Nassazi during a raid in Roodepoort, where they were allegedly targeting another victim.
Ngcobo and her associates are accused of defrauding multiple victims through similar schemes, leaving behind a trail of financial ruin and emotional devastation. Magistrate Sheron Soko-Rantao classified their crimes as a serious Schedule 5 offense due to the substantial sums involved. The trio’s bail hearing is scheduled for December 9, with further arrests anticipated.
Major General Ebrahim Kadwa, head of the Hawks in Gauteng, issued a stern warning about the dangers of online dating. “While these platforms offer convenience, they are also rife with risks. Scammers exploit unsuspecting individuals for financial gain. Always verify the identity of people you meet online, and be wary of financial requests,” he advised.
Kadwa emphasized the Hawks’ commitment to safeguarding the public and called on South Africans to report fraudulent activity.
The case highlights a disturbing trend of romance scams in South Africa, with numerous women stepping forward to share their harrowing experiences. Many victims, often household breadwinners, are left destitute and emotionally shattered. In some tragic cases, victims have reportedly taken their own lives.
One such case involved a Gauteng mother in her 50s, who lost her R2.8 million pension lump sum to a scammer she believed to be her partner. The man, posing as a concerned father seeking a school for his son, gained her trust over a year-long relationship before disappearing with her savings.
As the legal proceedings against Ngcobo and her co-accused continue, the case serves as both a cautionary tale and a rallying cry for greater awareness around online fraud. The Hawks’ swift action provides hope for justice and a reminder that even the most sophisticated scams can be unraveled.
