NIGERIAN MAN AND OWNER OF HYDRO LOUNGE NIGHTCLUB SENTENCED TO 15 YEARS FOR FRAUD.

Two Nigerian nationals, Olatunji Samson Abdul and Adedayo Quandri, were sentenced to eight years and seven years imprisonment respectively by the Specialised Commercial Crimes Court, sitting in Palm Ridge on Friday, 08 July 2022. Both men pleaded guilty and were convicted on 24 counts of theft, related to cloning the email addresses of conveyancers, DM5 and Yaron Waks.

Spokesperson in Gauteng Local Phindi Mjonondwane says, the accused monitored emails between legal firms and clients, who were due to complete or receive transfers from the conveyancers after their properties were sold, using malware and viruses. The two scammed conveyancers their banking information, which caused R7,8 million and R4,2 million to be sent to their accounts.

On the 14 May 2019, DM 5 received an email that appeared to be from Amohelang instructing/directing the Company to transfer R 7,836,347.70 in proceeds from the sale of property. This money was owed to Amohelang and was paid into Siphosihle Sithole’s bank account who was charged alongside both accused although his trial was independent from the accused after he pleaded not guilty.

Furthermore, Yaron Waks Attorneys have started civil proceedings against the Criminal Recovery Assets Unit to be compensated from the illicit funds recovered by the AFU and the funds Stolen from the Municipality could have been used for providing services to its residents, while Amohelang Holdings has threatened liquidation proceedings against DM5 for the recovery of its sale proceeds.