PLETTENBERG BAY – Convicted fraudster Abigail Jooste (38) from Firgrove, Somerset West, who defrauded an elderly couple of thousands of rands over an extended period, has been sentenced to 10 years direct imprisonment by the Plettenberg Bay Regional Court after pleading guilty to 94 counts of fraud and 30 counts of money laundering.

The court also declared Jooste unfit to possess a firearm in terms of Section 103(1) of the Firearms Control Act 60 of 2000.

In her statement of guilt, Jooste wrote that during 2018, she telephonically contacted a woman from De Rust, Western Cape, who was a holder of a credit card with one of the banks of South Africa.

She tricked her into setting up an internet banking facility through which she fraudulently opened three savings accounts in the woman’s name with the same bank without her knowledge and consent. Between 2 October and 12 October 2018, she transferred R56 000 from the woman’s Money Market Account into the savings accounts she fraudulently opened in her name.

After having gained the woman’s trust, she was introduced to the woman’s husband, and she also tricked him into setting up an internet banking facility with the same bank. She gained access to his various bank accounts.

During October 2018, through the internet banking facility she set up for them, she gained access to their accounts and proceeded with various online transactions and money transfers from their accounts without their knowledge and consent.

The online purchases and transactions were done with Easy Swift LSD, E-Gift Solutions, Mr D/Mr Delivery, Subella, Tessa’s Bakery and Loot.

Jooste also made several fraudulent cash send transactions to cell numbers registered in her name and linked to the savings accounts in her name. The cash amounts were then withdrawn at ATMs in Somerset West, Goodwood, and Cape Town.

She also made online airtime purchases for herself. The total amount the elderly couple suffered amounted to R94 374.

Jooste acknowledged and admitted that at the time of committing the offences, she knew that she was acting unlawfully and that her actions constituted criminal offences for which she could be prosecuted in a court of law.