A joint investigation between the Stellenbosch police and a private investigator has led to the arrest of a 30-year-old male with ties to a romantic scam crime in Stellenbosch over the last few months.
The Nigerian national was subsequently arrested in Roodepoort on Wednesday 20 July on charges relating to money laundering and fraud.
The successful multidisciplinary investigation was led by Captain Bernard Adams (Stellenbosch Detective division), John Alexander (Lead Investigator, Royal Investigations) and Sergeant Allister Marajh (Stellenbosch Vispol division).
According to police spokesperson Captain Nathalie Martin, Royal Investigations were assigned to investigate a romance scam case amounting to R2 million after an elderly woman, connected with an “American engineer’’ on Tinder by the name of “Larry Cole’’, was swindled out of her money. “Once the suspect had developed a relationship, he concocted a sob story about why he needed money, and the victim subsequently lost R2 million in six months.”
Martin said the arrest came after a two-week intelligence driven investigation. “Our investigation led us to North Gate Mall in Roodepoort, Gauteng, where we arrested a 30-year-old Nigerian national by the name of Roland Enuwese Esosa. The Stellenbosch detectives played a pivotal role, especially Captain Bernard Adams and Sergeant Allister Marajh.”
Martin says that immediately after the suspect was arrested, he attempted to bribe the arresting officers with R500 000 for his release.
“A BMW car key was found in his possession which led the officers to an expensive sports car in the parking area. The suspect then offered the vehicle to the officers to secure his release.
“Unfortunately for him, we still have honourable police officers who cannot be bribed. The suspect failed to provide a reasonable explanation as to how he had acquired this expensive vehicle. A decision was taken to seize the vehicle, subject to further investigation,” she adds.
The suspect is believed to be part of an organised crime group targeting vulnerable women who are simply looking for companionship. They then live a lavish lifestyle with the proceeds of crime.
Alexander had been at the forefront of numerous romance scam cases and has developed a blueprint on how to track and trace these scammers. “They should have sleepless nights knowing we could come through their door at any moment. We partnered with the police and provided our expertise and resources to assist victims,” Alexander said.
According to Alexander the notorious criminal organization called “Black Axe’’ – also known as the Neo Black Movement of Africa – has a stronghold in Johannesburg and their modus operandi consists of romance scams, also known as 419 scams.
“Royal Investigations has a host of information that we gathered throughout our investigation to suggest Esosa is indeed involved, if not one of the master minds behind the Black Axe syndicate. He should face the full brunt of the law and all the assets he acquired through proceeds of crime should be forfeited as restitution for the victim.”
The suspect appeared in the Randburg Magistrates’ Court on 22 July, where the Stellenbosch Police secured a transit warrant to transport the suspect to Stellenbosch He made his first appearance in Stellenbosch Magistrates’ Court on Monday 25 July.
