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5 people in the dock for allegedly running a R20m Ponzi scheme in Cape Town

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PHOTO: Felix Dlangamandla, Gallo Images, Netwerk24
  • Five people appeared in court for allegedly running a Ponzi scheme involving around R20 million.
  • Spokesperson Lieutenant-Colonel Philani Nkwalase said the scheme allegedly operated between January 2010 and December 2011.
  • They accused face 7 590 counts of fraud and contravening the Banks Act.


Five people appeared in court for allegedly running a Ponzi scheme involving around R20 million, the Hawks in the Western Cape said on Wednesday. 

Spokesperson Lieutenant-Colonel Philani Nkwalase said Nobesuthu Phyllis Mdekazi, Ncumisa Mdekazi, Philiswa Ntsabo, Bulelwa Siwisa and Nombulelo Mbenyane appeared in the Bellville Serious Commercial Crimes Court on Tuesday. 

A Ponzi scheme relies on a continuous flow of new investors to pay out an earlier wave.

The higher than usual initial returns and word-of-mouth that the system is safe is usually used as a ruse to get more money into the scheme. 

Nkwalase said it was alleged the scheme operated between January 2010 and December 2011 from premises in Modderdam Road, Cape Town.

They accused face 7 590 counts of fraud and contravening the Banks Act.

The case was postponed to 19 January 2021 for further investigation.

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