Cindy Bessinger (31), the Mossel Bay woman who allegedly defrauded the Diaz Hotel and Resort of nearly R1.5m, appeared in the Mossel Bay Regional Court yesterday.

Mossel Bay Advertiser reports Bessinger is facing almost 40 counts of fraud, which allegedly took place between October 2024 and March last year.

Alleged fraudulent invoices

According to the court documents, while in an administrative role at the hotel, Bessinger allegedly created invoices for services to and products for the establishment, making the payments into her own account and, in some instances, her former boyfriend’s.

The newspaper previously reported that the court documents further indicate the payments she made to her account over the period in question ranged between about R9 000 and just under R80 000.

Arrest and next court date

Bessinger was arrested on March 31, 2025, and has since been released on R20 000 bail. She is expected to appear in court again on March 26.

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