- The Hawks arrested Gabriel Okori, a Nigerian man, in Gordon’s Bay for allegedly scamming a woman out of over R3 million in a romance scam.
- The victim, based in Gauteng, was conned by a man posing as “Mark Hermanus,” who fabricated a story about needing money for his son’s medical bills.
- Local security company GBSEC assisted in tracking and apprehending the suspect, who now faces charges in the Pretoria Magistrates’ Court.
The Hawks descended upon Gordon’s Bay last week where they traced and arrested an alleged “romance scammer” who conned a woman in Gauteng out of more than R3 Million.
According to Warrant Officer Thatohatsi Mavimbela of the Hawks’ Serious Commercial Crime Investigation Unit, a Nigerian man identified as Gabriel Okori (39), appeared in the Pretoria Magistrates’ Court on Monday 7 October, facing charges of romance scamming. He was arrested in Gordon’s Bay on Thursday 3 October by Hawks members attached the the unit, with the assistance of the City of Cape Town Traffice Service and local security company Gordon’s Bay Security (GBSec).
“The complainant in the case alleges that she met a man online who claimed to be a white South African named Mark Hermanus,” stated Mavimbela. “The two began communicating on social media and eventually exchanged phone numbers. Over time, ‘Mark Hermanus’ convinced the complainant to lend him money for his sick son’s medical bills. The amount escalated to over R3 million, which the suspect promised to repay but never did.”
The matter was reported to the Hawks, who launched an investigation into the alleged scammer. Through their efforts, they traced the suspect to the Helderberg and identified him. The case has been postponed to Monday 14 October.
“The Hawks’ investigation was aided by the local private security company, GBSEC, which played a crucial role in locating the suspect and his vehicle. GBSEC members tracked the vehicle’s movements and provided information to the Hawks, who ultimately apprehended Okori in Cape Town”.
Extra eyes, ears, vehicles
Providing some insight into the arrest operation, Heyns de Waal, Chief Operating Officer of GBSEC, said that their assistance was asked by the Hawks.
“GBSEC members picked up the vehicle of interest on Wednesday morning (6 October) and confirmed all movements to the Hawks members. On Thursday morning (7 October), marked and unmarked GBSEC vehicles with the assistance of Gordon’s Bay Saps waited for the vehicle along its suspected route. Just before noon, the vehicle changed his daily routine and was spotted in Strand area. Details of the vehicle of interest was broadcast to all security partners within the Helderberg area, and Strand Neighbourhood watch was also activated for extra eyes and ears in the search for the vehicle,” he said.
Just minutes later the vehicle was spotted by a GBSEC unit and seconds later security vehicles from GBSEC, Vetus Schola and ADT together with the City’s Traffic Service swooped in from all directions with Strand Neighbourhood Watch members blocking off side roads for if there might be an attempt to escape.
“The Hawks soon arrived on scene and took the person of interest in for detention. After further investigation, all units accompanied the Hawks members to an address in Gordon’s Bay where the members made an astonishing success by arresting the wanted kingpin,” said Heyns.
“We would like to commend the dedication and attitude of these Hawks members together with their security partners in the apprehension of this wanted criminal.”
