The Director of the travel agency Priority Escape, also known as the holiday swindler, surrendered to police in Gauteng after more charges were laid against him.
Francois Swart, 40, allegedly defrauded several would-be holidaymakers out of hundreds of thousands of rands for Maldives trips. He was arrested in Modimolle on December 28, 2023, and granted bail.
Police spokesperson Colonel Katlego Mogale says Swart appeared in the Specialised Commercial Crimes Court sitting in Palm Ridge on Wednesday, where he was granted bail of R10 000.
She says the case was postponed to 2 April 2025.
Swart is accused of duping holidaymakers out of hundreds of thousands of Rands, having received full payments, only to dish out false documents.
Colonel Mogale says when due to embark on the trips, the clients found out that Priority Escape had ceased to operate and never received any refunds.
She says that Swart allegedly utilised over R2.1 million for personal gain.
Just days before his first arrest in 2023, the National Consumer Commission (NCC) said it had obtained a preservation order against him.
NCC spokesperson Thezi Mabuza said the forfeiture order was obtained in conjunction with the National Prosecuting Authority to freeze funds in accounts held by Swart and his company, Priority Escapes.
She said the NCC investigated the complaints against Swart and found that he contravened section 47 (3) of the Consumer Protection Act.
A search for Priority Escapes takes you to the consumer review website Hello Peter, where dozens of disgruntled consumers have voiced their opinions.
