PROJECT: FACEBOOK INVESTMENT SCAMS & MONEY MULE RECRUITMENT

Isabel Spies
Sep 3
5 min read

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Specialised Security Services handles numerous cases involving unsuspecting individuals

who fall victim to sophisticated investment scams and money laundering schemes.

Mr. Mike Bolhuis, a specialist investigator in severe violent crime, economic crime, and cybercrime,

is committed to educating the public, emphasising that crime prevention should be a priority

for each citizen and a shared responsibility.

HOW THE "FRIENDLY STRANGER" INVESTMENT SCAM WORKS:

You meet someone on Facebook or other social media who seems friendly and trustworthy.
They befriend you and then tell you about a fantastic, low-risk investment opportunity with high returns (e.g., Raliplen, Forex, Crypto).
You invest your money.
When you try to withdraw your "profits," you are told you need to pay more fees or taxes first. If you cannot pay, the scammer may offer to "help" you by using your bank account.
They will claim they need to receive money in South African Rands (ZAR) but do not have a local account.
They promise you a cut for your help or will help you to get your "profits".
As soon as you agree and let your account be used, you become a "money mule."
You are now involved in money laundering.
The money you receive is stolen from other victims.
When you send it onwards (often to cryptocurrency wallets as instructed), you are helping criminals hide their tracks. Your bank account will be frozen, and you could face criminal charges.
REAL CASE EXAMPLE OF THE "JOHAN VAN ZYL, RALIPLEN INVESTMENT" SCAM:
- THE HOOK: A friendly stranger on Facebook.
- THE BAIT: A fake investment platform, promising high returns.
- THE TRAP: The victim pays into a bank account, and then the “friend/scammer” will pay it into your crypto wallet, or you pay directly into a crypto wallet that the scammer opened and has full control over.
- THE TWIST: The scammer recruited money mules who used their personal bank accounts by pretending to help them withdraw their own investments.
- THE RESULT: All funds were transferred to untraceable cryptocurrency wallets. The money is gone.

SIGNS OF A FAKE INVESTMENT OR MONEY MULE SCAM:

"TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE" INVESTMENTS:
- Promises of guaranteed high returns with little or no risk.
- Pressure to invest quickly.
- The platform is not a well-known, regulated financial institution.
STRANGERS ASKING FOR BANK ACCOUNT FAVOURS:
- Anyone you meet online who wants to send money to your account and have you forward it is almost certainly involved in crime.
- Their excuses are lies: "I need to exchange ZAR to GBP," "I don't have a local account," "I'll give you a commission."
BURNER NUMBERS AND FAKE IDENTITIES:
- Scammers use unregistered SIM cards ("burner numbers").
- They use fake names and profiles (e.g., "Johan van Zyl," "Lea Novak").

HOW TO PROTECT YOURSELF:

NEVER INVEST WITH STRANGERS ONLINE:
- Only use reputable, well-known financial institutions and registered financial advisors.
- Do your own independent research on any investment opportunity.
NEVER SHARE YOUR BANK ACCOUNT:
- Your bank account is for your use only.
- Never agree to receive and forward money for someone else, no matter what story they tell you. It is money laundering.
VERIFY, THEN TRUST:
- Be extremely cautious of friendly strangers on social media.
- If an investment sounds perfect, it is definitely a scam.

WHAT TO DO WHEN YOU COME ACROSS THIS SCAM:

STOP ALL COMMUNICATION immediately.
REPORT THE PROFILE to the social media platform.
SCREENSHOT ALL EVIDENCE: conversations, phone numbers, bank details they provide.
REPORT THE DETAILS: Provide the phone numbers and bank account details to the South African Banking Risk Information Centre (SABRIC) and your local police station.

WHAT TO DO IF YOU HAVE ALREADY SENT MONEY OR ACTED AS A MULE:

(NOTE! IF YOU ARE NOT COMFORTABLE, PLEASE SEEK PROFESSIONAL HELP FROM A REPUTABLE IT OR SECURITY COMPANY.)

STOP all transactions immediately.
CONTACT YOUR BANK to report the fraud and freeze your accounts if necessary.
REPORT THE CRIME to the police (SAPS) and get a case number.
CHANGE ALL PASSWORDS for your email and social media accounts.
BE AWARE that your personal information has been compromised; monitor your accounts for suspicious activity.

Investment and money mule scams happen daily, but with awareness and caution, you can avoid them.

By recognising the signs, avoiding risky behaviour, and staying informed,

you can protect yourself and your finances from these malicious schemes.

Stay vigilant, stay informed, and do not let scammers exploit your trust or your bank account.

CONTACT MR MIKE BOLHUIS FOR SAFETY AND SECURITY MEASURES, PROTECTION,

OR AN INVESTIGATION IF NEEDED.

ALL INFORMATION RECEIVED WILL BE TREATED IN THE STRICTEST CONFIDENTIALITY,

AND EVERY IDENTITY WILL BE PROTECTED.

Specialised Security Services invites the public to the Mike Bolhuis Daily Projects WhatsApp Channel.

This channel is important in delivering insights into the latest crime trends, awareness, warnings and the exposure of criminals.

How to Join the WhatsApp Channel:

1. Make sure you have the latest version of WhatsApp on your device.

2. Click on the link below to join the Mike Bolhuis Daily Projects WhatsApp Channel:

- https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VarjftF8PgsI4pODE929

3. Follow the prompts to join the channel.

4. Make sure you click on "Follow", then click on the "bell"-icon (🔔)

Regards,

Mike Bolhuis

Specialist Investigators into

Serious Violent, Serious Economic Crimes & Serious Cybercrimes

PSIRA Reg. 1590364/421949

Mobile: +27 82 447 6116

E-mail: mike@mikebolhuis.co.za

Fax: 086 585 4924

Follow us on Facebook to view our projects -

https://www.facebook.com/MikeBolhuisOfficial

EXTREMELY IMPORTANT: All potential clients need to be aware that owing to the nature of our work as specialist investigators there are people who have been caught on the wrong side of the law - who are trying to discredit me - Mike Bolhuis and my organisation Specialised Security Services - to get themselves off the hook. This retaliation happens on social media and creates doubt about our integrity and ability. Doubt created on social media platforms is both unwarranted and untrue. We strongly recommend that you make up your minds concerning me and our organisation only after considering all the factual information - to the exclusion of hearsay and assumptions. Furthermore, you are welcome to address your concerns directly with me should you still be unsatisfied with your conclusions. While the internet provides a lot of valuable information, it is also a platform that distributes a lot of false information. The distribution of false information, fake news, slander and hate speech constitutes a crime that can be prosecuted by law. Your own research discretion and discernment are imperative when choosing what and what not to believe.

STANDARD RULES APPLY: Upon appointment, we require a formal mandate with detailed instructions. Please take note that should you not make use of our services – you may not under any circumstance use my name or the name of my organisation as a means to achieve whatever end.

POPI ACT 4 of 2013 South Africa: Mike Bolhuis' "Specialised Security Services" falls under Section 6 of the act. Read more here: https://mikebh.link/fntdpv