A SUSPECTED member of a Black Dollar scheme has been arrested and counterfeit cash worth an estimated R1.6m seized during a raid at a flat in Umhlanga Ridge.

Durban Metro Police Service (DMPS) said the raid was launched on Friday (October 9) after its Covert Intelligence unit received information about suspicious movements at the upmarket apartment.

DMPS spokesperson Colonel Boysie Zungu said a search warrant was obtained by the Tactical Support Unit based on the intelligence received, with the Port Shepstone Hawks and Counter Narcotics KZN also involved in the operation.

He said officers found a Ugandan national inside the apartment during the raid and discovered that it was allegedly being used as a brothel.

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“The suspect was also allegedly involved in a scheme known as Black Dollar, which involves counterfeit money,” said Zungu.

The Black Dollar Scheme is a form of advance fee fraud where con artists trick victims into believing that stacks of black or discoloured paper are real currency.

Zungu said further search of the premises led to the seizure of an iPhone 16, a safe and two passports allegedly belonging to the suspect, which had expired visas.

Zungu said the suspect was arrested and detained at Durban North SAPS. “He faces charges relating to the counterfeiting of currency, contravention of the South African Reserve Bank Act, keeping a brothel and illegal immigration.”

He is expected to appear in the Durban Magistrate’s Court on Monday, October 12.

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