Alleged rogue bitcoin cryptocurrency trader, Stewart Garner (64), is expected to reappear in the Kroonstad Magistrates’ Court today, 12 October, facing a charge of fraud. He first appeared on 6 October, two days after he was arrested at the OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg.
Capt. Christopher Singo, provincial spokesperson of the Hawks, said a warrant to arrest Garner was secured in 2020. This followed the completion of an investigation by the Hawks Serious Commercial Crime Investigation team into mysterious theft of money (R910 000) from a victim in Kroonstad’s account.
“The investigation by the police discovered that the money was transferred from the victim’s Absa bank account to a Standard Bank account, belonging to Garner. Further investigation revealed that the money was used to buy bitcoin,” said Singo.
He said the incident took place in 2018.
“The victim received a bank notification on his cellphone from Absa for two amounts, R860 000 and R50 000, that was deducted without his authorisation. The victim went to report the transactions at the Kroonstad Absa bank and thereafter went to the police to open a criminal case,” said Singo. He said the transactions were illegal as the victim did not give authorisation.
Singo said Garner, released on bail of R10 000, was arrested when about to board a flight to Durban on 4 October. He has been searched for by officials since 2020 regarding the crime.
