A 34-year-old man who was wanted for a multi-million rand fraud scheme in the Western Cape has appeared in court after being on the run since last June.
Gerhard Olivier was arrested in Cape Town on Friday and appeared in the Malmesbury District Court.
However, police said he was granted bail of R50 000 with "strict conditions". A warrant for his arrest was issued last June by the same court when he failed to make a scheduled court appearance.
Olivier is alleged to have siphoned almost R18.4 million from unsuspecting victims in a farm investment scheme dating back to 2010.
It is alleged that he had conned potential investors into purchasing farm equipment and feed in return for a fee.
"He is also accused of deceiving members of a farming co-op by falsely representing himself as a wealthy farm owner and promising to provide them with farming resources," said Hawks spokesperson, Colonel Katlego Mogale.
Olivier will be back in court again on 9 April.
