Three suspects have been taken into custody following their arrest in connection with an elaborate romance fraud and money laundering operation worth more than R14 million that targeted a vulnerable elderly woman over a period of two years.
Asanda Dwesini (39), Nomphelo Fetman (32) and Shan Gabrelle Lewis (47) made a brief appearance at the Muizenberg Magistrate Court on Wednesday, 19 March 2026. The trio was apprehended earlier that morning in a coordinated operation carried out by the Bellville Serious Commercial Crime Investigation team in conjunction with the National Intervention Unit (NIU).
How the scheme unfolded
According to investigators, the suspects allegedly orchestrated a sophisticated scam between 2017 and 2018 by setting up a fictitious profile on a dating platform. The bogus online persona was used to manipulate the victim into believing she had entered a sincere romantic relationship.
The fraudsters reportedly employed flattering and affectionate language to win the woman's trust. Once an emotional bond had been established, the supposed love interest began requesting financial assistance, fabricating excuses such as unsuccessful travel arrangements and pressing fines that needed urgent payment.
"The fraudsters gained the victim's trust and built a relationship with her. He made everything about the romance feel normal, but his aim was to extort her."
The victim was persuaded to transfer funds into multiple bank accounts provided by the alleged partner. This pattern of deception was repeated on numerous occasions until the woman eventually grew suspicious of the requests.
Hawks urge public vigilance
Western Cape Provincial Head of the Hawks, Major General Mathipa Makgato, called on members of the public to exercise extreme caution before engaging in any financial transactions that appear dubious. He stressed that individuals who harbour doubts about any request for money should refrain from making payments altogether.
"It is okay to reject or ignore any requests. Criminals will often try to rush or make you panic. If you believe you have fallen for a scam, you should contact your bank immediately and report it to the nearest authorities."
The case against Dwesini, Fetman and Lewis has been postponed to 26 March 2026 to allow for the gathering of bail information. All three accused remain behind bars pending their next court appearance.
South Africans, particularly older residents increasingly active on digital platforms, face growing exposure to romance fraud schemes that exploit emotional vulnerability and erode financial security. The scale of this operation highlights how criminal syndicates use sophisticated social engineering to drain victims of life savings, placing pressure on banks and law enforcement to strengthen fraud prevention measures. As the case proceeds, it may prompt renewed calls for public awareness campaigns and tighter regulation of online financial transactions.
