The pair of tour organisers who were arrested for allegedly defrauding many locals out of thousands of rands invested in an overseas trip that never materialised found themselves in the dock earlier this week.
The female suspects, aged 59 and 53, appeared in the Somerset West Magistrates’ Court on Monday (25 November) presumably on charges of fraud, theft and money laundering. This after they were apprehended on Friday (22 November) for allegedly having conned around 80 victims, including many Helderbergers, out of their hard-earned savings forked out for a once-in-a-lifetime tour of Thailand.
According to provincial police spokesperson Lieutenant-Colonel Malcolm Pojie the suspects were arrested by investigators attached to the provincial Commercial Crime Investigation Unit in connection with the fraud amounting to about R1,9 million for the promised trip.
“[The] investigation reveals that between 1 June 2022 and 30 July 2024, a total number of 80 victims saw an advertisement on social media platforms about a trip to Thailand,” said Pojie. “In the advertisement it was stated that each person should pay an amount of R26 000, which will include travelling as well as accommodation costs. It is believed almost all the victims paid the required amount as per agreement into the bank accounts of the two suspects.
“When the victims realised the trip was not going to materialise they reported it to different police stations across the country as far as Gauteng, Northern Cape, Eastern Cape and Western Cape. The cases were centralised in the Western Cape and, on completion, the suspects were interviewed and were unable to provide a satisfactory explanation of what happened to the money. The two suspects were subsequently arrested at their residences in Strand on Friday 22 November.”
They remain in custody until their next expected court appearance on Wednesday 4 December for formal bail applications.
Locals forming part of the larger group claiming to have been deceived by the ostensibly reputable tour organisers expressed their hopes for justice to prevail considering recent developments in the case. “Finally the wheels of justice are turning in our favour,” said Fiona Stewe. “We thought this day would never come.”
The 58-year-old Firgove resident, like many others from her area, Raithby, Strand and Somerset West, responded to an advertisement in 2022 for a 16-day trip to Thailand, priced at R26 000 per person (“Many duped in tour ‘scam’,” DistrictMail & Helderberg Gazette, 26 June). It is believed the opportunity was respectively advertised by the two suspects, one as a tour operator known for organising successful international tours with her husband and the other a fellow operator under a business name. The trip was scheduled for 20 June to 6 July this year.
Heather Mansfield, joined by a group of others outside the Strand Magistrates’ Court, where the suspects were expected to appear, demanded: “We want our money back” – a sentiment shared by the group.
Many said they are still furious over the fraud they had fallen victim to, and held a strong hope for justice.
