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Police in Gauteng have arrested a third suspect in an ongoing investigation into theft and money laundering valued at R2 million.
Lars Niehaus, 64, was detained at the OR Tambo International Airport (ORTIA) moments after landing in South Africa.
Police spokesperson Warrant Officer Thatohatsi Mavimbela says Niehaus has already made his first appearance in court, and bail proceedings are underway.
He says a complainant approached the Hawks in January 2022 when an unknown man approached her in a mall in Gauteng.
The suspect claimed to be an influential businessman from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and offered her a business opportunity to invest in the mining of precious metals, termed 'Coltan'.
WO Mavimbela says the woman raised questions about mining rights licenses but was assured she need not worry. The entity based in the DRC would ensure that her investment is safe, as they had a licence to import minerals into South Africa.
He says that when the complainant had follow-up meetings with more individuals, they demanded money for trips to the DRC to meet with the Minister of Mining and to Dubai to meet with potential buyers.
The complainant paid for a business account called Highgate Lease and Trading (PTY) LTD, which belongs to Lars Niehaus.
WO Mavimbela says that as a result of the scam, the complainant ultimately suffered an actual loss of R2 million, and she registered a case with the Hawks six months later, in August 2022.
He says that in March and April this year, two suspects, Lindiwe Makelele and Zingah Mpoyi, were arrested and granted bail in the Alexandra Magistrates Court of R2 000 and R5 000, respectively.
