File
A 47-year-old woman who is suspected of committing online dating fraud is expected to appear in the Gqeberha Magistrate’s on Friday.
Thembeka Bendon was arrested by the Hawks in Cape Town last week following the arrest of his co-accused, 42-year-old Thina Mpuhlu in October last year.
The duo is accused of fraud of more than R500 000 that they allegedly committed in 2014.
Hawks spokesperson Captain Yolisa Mgolodela says their modus operandi was to target a pensioner on a dating site.
The scammers operated under the name of Mario Bertolini and after a month of phone calls, messages, and e-mails they invited the suspect to a wedding in Italy.
Mgolodela says they then pretended that the bank account of the so-called Bertolini was frozen and asked for money from the victim for the alleged wedding, an operation, and debt with SARS.
After the victim made the deposits she never heard from 'Bertolini' again.
Hawks launched an investigation and arrested Mphulu, who has since been released on bail of R2 000 and recently linked Bendon with the case too.
They are facing charges of fraud and theft.
