The Hawks’ Serious Commercial Crimes unit in the Free State have launched a manhunt for another con billionaire linked to a fraudulent investment company called Black Child Billionaire, in Qwaqwa. The whereabouts of Lebohang Ernest Maboea (27) is still unknown after his failure to appear in court without a reasonable excuse.
Lt Col. Zweli Mohobeleli, provincial spokesperson of the Hawks, said Maboea failed to appear in court on numerous occasions after he was released on bail of R3 000, adding that the elite crime fighting wing has secured a warrant for his arrest.
He said Maboea was arrested in July 2021, together with co-accused Neo Patrick Makhokolo (29).
“Maboea is believed to be hiding in either Gauteng or Free State,” said Mohobeleli. He said the pair allegedly defrauded scores of people of large amounts of monies, after having them invest in a get-rich-quick scheme they operated in Phuthaditjhaba between 2018 and 2019.
“Several residents of Phuthaditjhaba invested in this company with promises of interest ranging between 25% and 100% in just a month,” said Mohobeleli. He said only four of the numerous victims have opened cases after losing their money in the fraudulent investment company.
“The four known victims lost a cumulative amount of over R500 000,” he said.
Relief for the victims came with a hefty sentencing delivered to Makhokolo by the Bethlehem Commercial Crimes Court on 11 August. The court slapped him with a 17-year suspended sentence after being convicted of fraud, money laundering, contravention of the Banks Act, and contravention of the Financial Advisory and Intermediary Services Act.
“In addition, Makhokolo was ordered to repay one of the victims R18 000 in instalments of R1 500,” said Mohobeleli, adding that the accused was also declared unfit to possess a firearm.
The Hawks have appealed for the public’s assistance in tracing Maboea. Anyone with reliable information about his whereabouts can contact the investigating officer WO Sidwell Mpholo on 082-372-0386 or Crime Stop on 08600-10111.
