Accountability still lacking as corruption persists in South Africa
South Africa’s score on the global Corruption Perceptions Index remains at a decade-low, reflecting persistent governance failures.
Fraud
VBS scandal: six convicted, 35 arrested – and more to come
Authorities have convicted six individuals in the VBS Mutual Bank fraud case, including former executives and municipal officials. However, with 29 accused still on trial and 43 more suspects under investigation, the case is far from over.
Victims of ‘investment’ scam to receive share of recovered funds
Victims of the Ant Ranch scheme will receive a share of the R475 000 held in terms of a preservation order. However, the money may not go far in reimbursing their losses.
Former TETA CEO sentenced to 7 years for role in Fidentia scandal
Court finds that Pieter Bothma accepted bribes to facilitate unauthorised investments, laundering millions for Fidentia’s directors.
Two ‘enablers’ of BHI Trust Ponzi scheme hit with 30-year debarments
Craig Warriner’s confession to orchestrating a massive Ponzi scheme has led to 30-year bans for Global & Local’s Michael Haldane and Mauro Forlin.
Former FNB employee sentenced to prison for R6.4m fraud
The syndicate gained unauthorised access to two accounts belonging to a German national on multiple occasions.
Ombudsman’s report unveils banking blunders and customer missteps
The cases dealt with by the banking ombudsman last year included a home auctioned for far below its value and fraud linked to a stolen phone.
Common reasons life insurers reject death benefit claims
Life insurers paid almost 96% of death and funeral benefit claims last year – with the total payout worth R39.9 billion.
Watch out for these tell-tale signs of a tax-filing season scam
Fraudsters are contacting taxpayers who are issued with auto-assessments and impersonating SARS.
Retirement fund ordered to pay fraud victim’s R800 000 benefit
A pension fund mistakenly paid out a fraudulent claim to a syndicate while the rightful member was in prison.
Scammers at work … from VAT fraud to fake invoices
Lieutenant General Godfrey Lebeya details the cases involving financial crimes investigated by the Hawks.
Unauthorised financial services business: FSCA issues a long list of entities and individuals
Boutique asset manager Denker Capital is the latest FSP to be impersonated by fraudsters operating on social media.
AfriForum criticises Craig Warriner’s plea deal for lack of disclosure
The recent plea deal resulting in a 25-year prison sentence for Craig Warriner is under scrutiny for allegedly failing to serve the interests of justice and providing minimal benefit to the State beyond administrative closure.
Nedbank will defend itself in legal action related to ACSA transactions
The bank also says it closed the accounts of some 190 clients in 2023 following ‘reviews of client activity and related reputational risks’.
Social media firestorm: what went wrong and how Old Mutual is responding
Old Mutual provides context to the Molefi complaint, and how the group is planning to address the alleged non-payment.
Financial planner convicted on 30 counts of insurance fraud
Shaun Dorning redirected payments totalling R4.2 million from a client while working as an independent contractor.
FSCA warns public of rising scams on social media platforms
The Authority breaks down the red flags that may indicate a product or scheme is fraudulent.
