PETER DICKSON, East London | Monday 3.30pm
POLICE are investigating a Gauteng-based Nigerian fraud syndicate that has conned dozens of desperate and illiterate Transkei rural villagers out of thousands of rands.
They’ve seized materials used to effect the scam after arresting the Umtata branch manager of Standard Bank.
Welile Mdoda, (38) out on R5000 bail until his next court appearance on October 8, is charged with stealing R286000 from the bank after he apparently fell for the deception.
His co-accused, Thandi Bengu, (46) of Umlazi, has been denied bail and will remain in custody.
Umtata murder and robbery unit chief Superintendent Mark Magadlela said the conmen promised to double or triple money brought to them by their victims.
Packs of banknote-sized papers were then returned to the victims, who were instructed to place them in the fridge for 72 hours until they appeared to be genuine notes.
Magadlela said Mdoda is alleged to have taken money to the syndicate.
A police search of his home yielded three stacks of banknote-sized papers, smeared with a black substance covered with cotton wool and wrapped in brown paper, ready for the refrigerator.