A Nigerian national, Gabriel Okori, is set to face the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court on charges of fraud and theft, following a series of distressing events that saw a South African woman lose over R3 million to a scam. Okori, 39, was arrested in Cape Town in October 2024, after an investigation led by the Hawks, South Africa’s Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation. The scam, which preyed on an unsuspecting woman seeking love and companionship, unfolded after she met Okori, who was posing as a white man named “Mark Hermanus” on Facebook.
The woman, initially captivated by the charm of the online “Mark,” was drawn into a web of deceit that saw her part with vast sums of money. According to the Hawks, “Mark Hermanus” claimed that his son was gravely ill and in need of urgent medical treatment, asking the woman to help with medical expenses. As the woman’s affections for “Mark” grew, so did the financial demands. Over time, she transferred over R3 million, trusting that her online lover would repay her once his son’s bills were settled. However, the promise of repayment was never fulfilled.
The case came to light when the woman, now financially devastated and emotionally distraught, reported the scam to the Hawks. Investigators managed to track down Okori, who had been hiding in Cape Town, and arrested him on October 3, 2024. He was granted bail of R5,000, and his case was postponed until January 16, 2025, when he will make his next court appearance.
This case is a stark reminder of the rampant and growing trend of romance scams that have devastated the lives of many South African women. These scams have left victims emotionally shattered, financially ruined, and, in some heartbreaking instances, even led to suicides. Many of these women, often the primary breadwinners in their households, have found themselves alone and destitute, betrayed by people they thought they could trust.
The story of Nothando (a pseudonym used to protect her identity) is another example of the cruel exploitation by scammers targeting vulnerable individuals. In early 2023, Nothando met a man who introduced himself as Henry Mugisha. He claimed to be a businessman looking for a place for his son. Over the course of a year, the two grew closer, and Nothando was convinced that their relationship would lead to something lasting.
As the romance developed, Mugisha proposed a business venture, promising great returns if they pooled their funds. He even convinced Nothando to resign from her government job and cash out her pension lump sum to invest in their joint business venture. Mugisha, however, had a cunning plan to manipulate Nothando further, persuading her that her pension money needed to be blessed by ancestors before they could invest it. He promised to raise his own funds for the venture, but as Nothando handed over nearly R3 million of her hard-earned savings, the red flags remained unseen.
The scam came crashing down when Mugisha disappeared with Nothando’s money, leaving her devastated and alone. She reported the matter to the Pretoria North Police, and investigations are underway. As of now, Mugisha remains at large, his whereabouts unknown.
These chilling stories of deceit and betrayal highlight a growing problem in South Africa, where romance scammers are exploiting the emotional vulnerabilities of individuals, often targeting women looking for love. With the rise of online dating and social media platforms, these criminals are finding new avenues to lure their victims, and many are left to pick up the shattered pieces of their lives once the scam is revealed.
While Okori’s case is still ongoing, and Nothando’s fight for justice continues, the widespread impact of such scams is undeniable. These victims, left with little but heartache and financial ruin, are calling for greater awareness and stronger measures to combat online fraud. The growing number of women coming forward to share their experiences is a testament to the resilience of those affected and a warning to others who may find themselves vulnerable to the same tactics of exploitation.
