A 30-year-old Nigerian big boy, Roland Enuwese Esosa, has been arrested in Cape Town, South Africa, for allegedly defr@uding an elderly woman he met on a dating app of R2 million (about N50million).
Esosa, who was arrested last week Wednesday in Northgate Mall in Roodepoort, Gauteng, was arraigned before the Stellenbosch Magistrate’s Court on Monday, July 25, on charges of fr@ud and money laundering.
IOL reports that he allegedly pretended to be an American engineer by the name of Larry Cole. Once Esosa had developed a relationship, he made up a story about why he needed money. The victim subsequently parted with R2 million over a six-month period.
According to the report, the suspect was the subject of a multi-disciplinary investigation led by Captain Bernard Adams of the Stellenbosch Detective division, John Alexander, lead investigator at Royal Investigations and Sergeant Allister Marajh at Stellenbosch Vispol division.
“Immediately after the suspect was arrested he attempted to bribe the arresting officers with R500 000.00 for his release,” Alexander said. Adding that they found a BMW key in his possession which led them to a expensive sports vehicle in the parking area. Esosa again offered the vehicle to the officials to secure his release.
“Unfortunately for him we still have honourable police officials who cannot be bribed,” said Alexander. The suspect failed to provide a reasonable explanation as to how he acquired this expensive vehicle. A decision was taken to seize the vehicle subjected to further investigation.
According to the private investigator, Esosa is part of an organised crime group targeting vulnerable women who are simply looking for companionship.
“They live a lavish lifestyle with proceeds of crime, and they have never worked an honest day in their life,” he added.