“Hawks Arrest Suspect in R600,000 North West Romance Scam”

Klerksdorp, North West – The Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks) has arrested 37-year-old Caroline Diana Sserufusa in connection with a romance scam that defrauded a 47-year-old North West woman of over R600,000.

Sserufusa, along with her company, TNH Collection and General Trading (Pty) LTD, appeared before the Specialised Commercial Crimes Court in Klerksdorp on Wednesday, facing charges of fraud and money laundering.

According to Warrant Officer Amogelang Malwetse, North West spokesperson for the Hawks, the victim met a Nigerian man known only as Chris in June. After a few weeks of dating, Chris allegedly persuaded the woman to resign from her job, claim her pension funds, and hand them over to him. “The victim allegedly complied, and in July, she received a pension payout of R634,169,” Malwetse said. The woman, whose identity is withheld to protect her from victimization, informed Chris of the payout.

Hawks reports indicate that Chris visited the victim’s home in Jouberton township and requested her banking app login details. Using these credentials, he transferred R610,000 to an account unknown to the victim. “That was the last time she saw Chris,” Malwetse added.

The case was referred to the Hawks’ Serious Commercial Crime Investigation unit in Klerksdorp, which traced the funds to a business account belonging to TNH Collection and General Trading (Pty) LTD, with Sserufusa as the sole director.

North West Acting Head of the Hawks, Brigadier Silas Munzhedzi, and Director of Public Prosecutions, Dr. Rachel Makhari, commended the investigation and prosecution teams for their efforts to ensure the accused faces justice.

This case is part of a broader wave of romance scams targeting vulnerable South Africans, particularly women who are breadwinners. IOL’s ongoing “Scammed” series has highlighted similar incidents, including a Gauteng mother who lost R2.8 million to a lover who vanished after a year-long relationship, and a North West police captain conned out of nearly R3 million by a Ugandan national posing as a doctor. In another case, a 54-year-old Limpopo SAPS employee was defrauded of R500,000 after being convinced to resign and invest her payout in a fake business venture.

Authorities urge the public to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities to prevent further victimization in romance scams.