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By Leseho Manala

Journalist


Fraudster to do time and repay pensioner

The accused intercepted the communication between the victim and the dealership and diverted the money.


A Midrand man in Johannesburg who admitted to defrauding a pensioner was sentenced by Alex Magistrates’ Court to eight years in prison, Alex News reports.

Five of the years were wholly suspended if he repays the victim including an additional amount imposed by the court.

Nkululeko Mabengwane (27) admitted to Magistrate Renier Boshoff to defrauding Philip Mahlangu of R20 000.

Mahlangu deposited the amount into an account for the purchase of a Toyota Quantum under the assumption that the monies would go into a Kyalami car dealership account.

The purchase agreement stated that the victim would pay the balance of R12 5000 later before getting possession of the vehicle. The accused seemingly intercepted the communication between the victim and the dealership and diverted the R20 000 into an account of a woman.

READ MORE: Three men sentenced to 25 years in prison for tax fraud

Later, the victim deposited the balance, however, quickly reversed it when the dealership said the initial payment had not been made. Investigators were alerted and tracked the account holder who informed them that Mabengwane had asked her to set up the account and that he had the bank card.

He was arrested, admitted to the crime and was ordered to repay the victim’s R20 000 with an additional R5 000 for costs as well as for the pain and suffering incurred from the ordeal.

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https://www.citizen.co.za/news/south-africa/three-men-sentenced-to-25-years-in-prison-for-fraud/

– Caxton News Service

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