Four men have been arrested by the Gauteng Provincial Commercial Crime Investigation Unit in connection with an alleged romance scam in which a South African woman was convinced that her money could be multiplied through ancestral rituals.
The suspects, aged between 26 and 34, were arrested on 29 May and face charges of fraud and extortion. They have been identified as Ismair Nsubugu, George Lubuluma, Geofrey Bukenya and Nicolas Bolodangaine.
According to police, the suspects allegedly persuaded the complainant that a purported Ugandan priest could multiply her money through ancestral rituals. However, the woman became suspicious and alerted the police.
“An operation was subsequently launched, leading to the arrest of one suspect while he was accompanying the complainant to Midrand, where she was allegedly being taken to secure loans from a banking institution,” Gauteng Police Spokesperson Captain Tintswalo Sibeko said.
She said police said the suspect later led investigators to a property in Winchester Hills, south of Johannesburg, where three additional suspects were arrested.
“During the operation, officers discovered a makeshift altar and an underground cave that were allegedly used to convince victims that ancestors were communicating with them.”
The four suspects appeared in the Booysens Magistrates’ Court on 1 June 2026. They remain in custody and the matter was postponed to 8 June for further investigation.
Police are investigating whether the suspects may be linked to other similar scam cases.
Authorities have appealed to anyone who may have fallen victim to the scam or who has information that could assist the investigation to contact Colonel Naidoo on 082 820 6174, the Crime Stop Line on 08600 10111, or submit information through the MySAPS App.
