Holiday Scam: Police now calling for victims to come forward

Police have called on consumers who have been taken for a ride in a holiday scam that offered discounted holidays that did not materialise, to come forward and open charges against the suspects. This follows the recent appearance in the Durban Magistrates Court of a pair of alleged holiday scam operators who stole almost R1 million from unsuspecting consumers.
SAPS spokesperson Captain Nqobile Gwala said the suspects’ court appearance followed a string of fraud cases that they had allegedly committed between February 2018 and October 2019.
Megasen Roland Chetty, 38, and Sarasvathi Belinda Pillay, 47, appeared in the Durban Magistrates’ Court on Friday 28 May 2021 to face the charges of fraud.
“The suspects were positively linked to 14 counts of fraud that they had committed at different areas like Chatsworth, Phoenix, Malvern, Town Hill, Tongaat and other areas. Their modus operandi was to promise people to secure a discounted holidays abroad and locally,” Gwala said.
“The total amount of cash that was defrauded is R900 000,” Gwala said.
Gwala said the matter had been transferred to the Provincial Commercial Crime Investigation Unit for further investigation.
She said police had swooped on the suspects and arrested them on Friday before their court appearance.
The suspects were each granted bail of R5 000. The matter was remanded to 7 July 2021. “We are also appealing to other people who are victims of the similar scam to contact the investigating officer Constable Durugiah on 082 334 8454,” Gwala said.