Siblings, accomplice arrested in fake kidnap extortion case
Investigations showed the trio colluded in faking a kidnapping to extort R24 000 from family members.
Police have arrested two siblings and another person following a complex extortion scheme involving a faked kidnapping and bribery.
The suspects appeared in the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court on July 31 where the case was postponed to August 6 for a bail application.
In early July, Thapelo Bokaba (32), Ofentse Bokaba (39), and Jonas Antonio allegedly reported Lebogang Bokaba, Antonio’s girlfriend, missing.
According to Hawks spokesperson, Captain Lloyd Ramovha, the report triggered an investigation led by Ga-Rankuwa police.
“The discrepancies in Antonio’s account raised suspicions and it was later revealed that Antonio was an illegal foreign national which led to his arrest under the Immigration Act,” said Ramovha.
Ramovha said despite covering their tracks, the Bokaba siblings bribed the investigator with R10 000 to halt the investigation.
“Their attempt to corrupt the officer was unsuccessful.
The Hawks’ Serious Corruption Crime Investigators were promptly alerted and intervened and the Bokaba siblings and Antonio were arrested after the bribe money was exchanged,” said Ramovha.
He said investigations revealed that the missing person report was a fabrication and the suspects had staged the kidnapping of Lebogang to extort R24 000 from family members, purportedly for her safe release.
“The elaborate scam was exposed, revealing the full extent of their deceit.”
Ramovha said Lebogang’s whereabouts are still unknown.
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