PROJECT: SWEETHEART SCAM - A VICTIM'S ACCOUNT AND A WARNING TO THE PUBLIC (PART 1)
- 2 days ago
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The following account was provided by a victim who requested confidentiality.
The allegations and circumstances described are based on information and evidence supplied
to Specialised Security Services (SSS). The matter remains subject to further verification and investigation.
THE INITIAL REPORT TO SSS:
The victim contacted Mr. Mike Bolhuis in a state of shock, claiming that her online “friend” had been kidnapped at OR Tambo International Airport.
According to the information provided, the victim believed that her friend had travelled to South Africa to meet her and had subsequently been abducted.
She urgently sought assistance after receiving information concerning the alleged kidnapping.
However, as the circumstances were examined, serious concerns arose regarding the broader history of the relationship, the substantial amounts of money that had allegedly been transferred and the repeated explanations and emergencies involving the man.
The alleged kidnapping was not an isolated incident but formed part of a series of events that had developed over an extended period.
The victim has subsequently provided SSS with a detailed account of the relationship and the financial transactions involved.
THE BEGINNING OF THE ONLINE RELATIONSHIP:
The victim stated that she came across the man’s Facebook profile in 2023 after receiving a friend request.
According to the complainant, she carefully examined the profile before accepting the request, after which the two developed a close friendship.
Over the course of approximately a year, the relationship progressed, and the man allegedly discussed his personal circumstances and future plans with her.
He reportedly told her that he was working in Syria and did not wish to remain there.
He allegedly expressed a desire to cancel his contract and travel to South Africa to meet her personally.
The victim, who had sold her house and later her farm, offered to assist him financially.
THE MEDICAL EMERGENCY:
According to the victim, the man later claimed that he was travelling to South Africa when he collapsed and was admitted to a hospital in Colorado.
The victim states that a person identifying himself as Dr. Ferguson contacted her and informed her that the patient had been admitted and that her name and email address had been found as his contact details.
She was allegedly informed that the man required surgery.
The victim was also told that the man was an only child, divorced and the father of a 17-year-old son.
She was informed that both his parents had died.
THE ALLEGED KIDNAPPING AND FINANCIAL DEMANDS:
The victim maintains that she provided financial assistance voluntarily and accepts that the decisions to transfer money were her own.
However, she reports that the total amount transferred was substantial. According to her account, approximately R200,000 was paid in circumstances allegedly connected to kidnappers, while more than R1 million was reportedly transferred to assist the man with his affairs and arrangements.
The victim contacted Mr. Bolhuis after claiming that her friend had been kidnapped at OR Tambo International Airport.
Given the substantial financial history and the information surrounding the alleged kidnapping, the circumstances required careful consideration and investigation.
At the time of the report, the victim believed that the kidnapping was genuine and that the person she had come to know and trust was in danger.
THE ALLEGED BANK ACCOUNT AND "SUSPENSE ACCOUNT":
The victim was further provided with an explanation regarding funds allegedly held in a Capital One Bank account.
She states that she was told the money belonged to the man, who allegedly owed her a portion of it.
According to the explanation provided to her, his dormant account was to be activated, and arrangements were allegedly made for her to open an account or temporary “suspense account” because he was unable to attend the bank in person.
She was reportedly told that the man’s bank account could only be closed once his fingerprint had been obtained.
She further states that this was presented as the reason why she had to carry certain bank-related costs.
The victim's Absa banking details were allegedly provided to the institution, and she has been attempting to re-establish contact regarding the matter.
NO FURTHER COMMUNICATION:
At the time she provided this account, the victim stated that she had not heard from the man for several days and that there had been no communication between them.
Despite the absence of communication, she remained convinced that he was still in South Africa.
The victim supplied SSS with documentation and evidence in support of her account.
She requested that her personal circumstances and the identities of her family members remain confidential.
She has also stated that all information and documentation supplied by her is, to the best of her knowledge and belief, truthful.
THE REALITY OF SWEETHEART SCAMS:
Sweetheart scams, also known as romance scams, are among the most financially and emotionally devastating forms of fraud.
The perpetrator creates a relationship through social media, dating platforms or other online communication channels and gradually builds trust with the victim.
The relationship may initially appear genuine.
The scammer often invests considerable time in daily communication, expressions of affection and elaborate personal stories.
Once trust has been established, the victim may be presented with one emergency after another.
Common stories include:
A medical emergency requiring urgent treatment or surgery.
A planned visit that is suddenly interrupted.
A work contract or employment situation that prevents the person from accessing money.
A kidnapping or other serious crisis.
A dormant bank account containing substantial funds that supposedly cannot be accessed.
Bank charges, taxes, legal fees or administrative costs that must be paid before funds can be released.
Claims that the victim will be reimbursed as soon as a particular account is activated or a final payment is made.
The scammer may also claim that they are alone, divorced, widowed or estranged from family.
This creates the impression that the victim is the only person who can help them.
THE WARNING SIGNS:
The public must remain alert when an online relationship involves repeated financial emergencies.
No matter how genuine the relationship may appear, consider the following warning signs:
The person repeatedly fails to meet in person.
There is always an emergency shortly before a planned meeting.
A third party, such as a doctor, lawyer, bank official or colleague, suddenly communicates on the person’s behalf.
The victim is asked to pay money for medical treatment, kidnappers, travel, banking costs or other emergencies.
The person claims to have substantial funds but is unable to access them.
Money must allegedly be paid before a larger amount can be released.
The victim is encouraged to continue making payments because previous payments will supposedly be lost if the next amount is not paid.
The person’s location, employment or identity cannot be independently verified.
Communication becomes irregular after large amounts of money have been transferred.
SSS WARNING:
Specialised Security Services warns the public that sophisticated criminals can deliberately exploit trust, affection and sympathy.
A victim's willingness to assist another person does not make the victim responsible for the criminal deception of the person who may have exploited that trust.
Do not transfer further money because you have already invested a substantial amount.
This is a common psychological trap known as the sunk-cost fallacy.
Victims may continue paying because they believe that one final payment will recover everything previously lost.
Before making any further payment:
Independently verify the identity of the person.
Confirm the existence and identity of any doctor, hospital, bank or legal representative involved.
Contact institutions directly using independently sourced contact details.
Do not rely on telephone numbers, email addresses or links provided by the person requesting money.
Preserve all messages, emails, bank statements, proof of payments, photographs, voice notes and contact details.
Do not send further money until the circumstances have been independently investigated.
Report suspected fraud and seek professional assistance immediately.
If someone you met online continually has a crisis, needs money, promises repayment from inaccessible funds
and never arrives as planned, do not ignore the possibility that you are dealing with a sweetheart scam.
Mr. Mike Bolhuis and the SSS Cyber Crime and Investigations Division
can be contacted regarding serious suspected fraud, online scams and related investigations.
Your safety, financial security and evidence must come before promises made by someone whose identity
and circumstances have not been independently verified.
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Regards,
Mike Bolhuis
Specialist Investigators into
Serious Violent, Serious Economic Crimes & Serious Cybercrimes
PSIRA Reg. 1590364/421949
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