23-year-old woman arrested in connection with fraudulent bank transaction

23-year-old woman arrested in connection with fraudulent bank transaction! A 23-year-old woman, Nomathamsanqa Ayeza Shabane, has been arrested in connection with a fraudulent bank transaction involving nearly R862,000.

Shabane was taken into custody by the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, commonly known as the Hawks, in what authorities describe as a major financial fraud case.

How the Fraud Was Discovered

According to Eastern Cape Hawks spokesperson, Lieutenant Colonel Avele Fumba, the case was first reported on October 12, 2022, when a bank alerted the victim about suspicious transactions.

“The complainant allegedly received a call from the bank verifying whether they had authorised payments totaling to R862,000—R800,000 for a property purchase and R62,000 for a vehicle,” said Fumba.

Realizing that these transactions were fraudulent, the victim immediately instructed the bank to halt the payments.

However, despite the bank’s quick intervention, they later discovered that R62,000 had already been transferred to a company linked to Shabane.

Bank Manages to Reverse R800,000 Payment

While part of the money had already been processed, authorities successfully managed to reverse the R800,000 transaction before it reached its intended recipient.

The account that was meant to receive the R800,000 is reportedly linked to another suspect, who remains at large.

Hawks Investigation Leads to Arrest

Following the initial report, the Hawks launched an investigation to uncover the full extent of the fraudulent activity.

Their investigation led them to Shabane, who was found to have direct links to the company that received the R62,000.

On February 25, 2025, Hawks officers arrested Shabane in Pietermaritzburg after gathering sufficient evidence connecting her to the fraud.

“The Hawks uncovered Shabane’s alleged connection to the beneficiary company, which led to her arrest,” Fumba confirmed.

Court Appearance and Bail Decision

Shabane made her first court appearance at the Mthatha Specialised Commercial Crime Court on February 26, 2025.

She was granted bail of R5,000, and the case was postponed to April 23, 2025, for further investigation and legal proceedings.

The Hawks have indicated that their investigation is still ongoing and that more arrests are imminent.

Authorities Warn Against Banking Fraud

The case has raised concerns about the increasing sophistication of banking fraud in South Africa.

Authorities continue to warn the public to be vigilant when dealing with large financial transactions and to immediately report any suspicious activity to their banks and law enforcement.

The Hawks have reassured the public that they are committed to tackling financial crimes and bringing those responsible to justice.

What Happens Next?

With the investigation still ongoing, the Hawks are expected to:
Identify and track down the second suspect who remains at large.
Further analyze Shabane’s role in the fraudulent transaction.
Ensure that all evidence is ready for trial proceedings on April 23.

For now, Shabane remains out on bail, but authorities remain determined to ensure justice is served in what has been described as a major fraud case.

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