One of the infamous Phuthaditjhaba fraudsters was found guilty in the Bethlehem Commercial Crimes Court for fraud and money laundering, the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation said on Tuesday.
Neo Patrick Makhokolo, 29, was sentenced on charges of fraud, contravention of the Banks Act 94 of 1990, contravention of the Financial Advisory and Intermediary Services Act 37 of 2002, and money laundering.“Makhokolo went on a rampage between 2018 and 2019 using a fraudulent company called ‘Black Child Billionaire’,” said Hawks Free State spokesperson, Lieutenant Colonel Zweli Mohobeleli.
“A number of Phuthaditjhaba residents joined an invest scheme through this company with promises of interest ranging between 25% and 100% in just a month,” he said.The victims reported the matter when returns on investment were not forthcoming, said Mohobeleli. “The accused was sentenced to four years imprisonment, suspended for five years on three counts of fraud, four years imprisonment, suspended for five years on three counts of contravention of the Banks Act, four years imprisonment, suspended for five years on three counts of contravention of the Financial Advisory and Intermediary Services Act, and five years imprisonment, suspended for five years on three counts of money laundering,” he said.
Mohobeleli urged anyone with information on Maboea’s whereabouts to contact the police or Crime Stop on 086-001-0111.