Rustenburg - A 35-year-old man, arrested for hacking a computer and defrauding a woman of R350 000, was order to pay back the money in a Gqeberha court, the Directorate for Priority Crimes Investigation (Hawks) said.
Hawks spokesperson Captain Yolisa Mgolodela said Raydson Lehlogonolo Ntsala was sentenced at the Gqeberha Regional Court on Wednesday. He was facing a charge of fraud.
“On November 7, 2017, while the victim was in Germany visiting her daughter, Ntsala hacked the victim’s computer and then sent an email to the victim, purporting to be the victim’s broker who had previously indicated that he wanted to make an investment of R350 000 on her (the victim’s) behalf.
“The victim, upon receiving the email requesting the authorisation of the amount previously agreed upon, knowing the deal between herself and her broker, authorised the amount of R350 000. Thereafter, the victim contacted the broker checking if everything was in order, but the broker had no knowledge about the investment. It was then established that the broker’s email was hacked,” she said.
She said the Hawks investigated the matter and arrested Ntsala in Rustenberg, in North West, on January 28, 2021.
"He was released on R2 000 bail by the Gqeberha New Law Court. After a series of court appearances, Ntsala was convicted on October 14, 2021.
“He was sentenced to three years correctional supervision and instructed to pay back the complainant. He must pay R10 000 immediately, thereafter, R3 500 per month to the complainant until the amount of R350 000 is paid in full,” said Mgolodela.
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