The accused, from left to right, Lenn Roy Jovner, Siphiso Joel Matome, Joshwin Alex Cox and James Andrew Scheepers, appeared in court on Monday. Photo: Supplied.
Inmates who ran R1.3m ‘sextortion’ scam from prison appear in court
The four inmates allegedly extorted men, who used a secret online escort service, from behind bars. The accused posed as police officers.
The accused, from left to right, Lenn Roy Jovner, Siphiso Joel Matome, Joshwin Alex Cox and James Andrew Scheepers, appeared in court on Monday. Photo: Supplied.
The four convicted inmates who allegedly ran an extortion scam from behind bars appeared in the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court on Monday, 15 August, on charges including extortion and impersonating a police officer.
INMATES BEHIND EXTORTION SCAM APPEAR IN COURT
Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks) spokesperson Lieutenant-Colonel Philani Nkwalase said the four accused men – aged between 26 and 32 – allegedly siphoned money from male victims who tried to solicit services from an online escort agency.
“The case was postponed to 22 September 2022 for further investigation,” said Nkwalase.
Lenn Roy Jovner, Siphiso Joel Matome, Joshwin Alex Cox and James Andrew Scheepers were arrested on Thursday night, 11 August, after a joint operation at the Odi and Baviaaspoort Correctional Centres in Mabopane and Pretoria.
“The operation was aimed at conducting a cybercrime search and seizure as well as executing warrant of arrests (J50) to four convicted inmates on an assortment of charges that include extortion, impersonation of a police officer, money laundering, forgery and uttering,” said the Hawks.
ACCUSED IMPERSONATED POLICE OFFICERS
The Hawks started the probe by investigating corrupt police officers who allegedly extorted several men who had sought the services of a “clandestine” online escort agency.
The men would later be told – by the so-called police officers – that cases of rape and fraud had been opened against them. “They would also present a fake warrant of arrest through WhatsApp and demand payment to ensure that the police along with the prosecutor make the cases disappear.”
The Hawks discovered that the four accused inmates used smartphones to create fake profiles of police officers by using their real names and stealing their photographs from social media. The real police officers were completely unaware.
The inmates got hold of the victims’ contact information from a call log from the online escort agency.
“Over the period between May and August 2022, the total amounts of R760 000-00 and R560 000-00 had been paid into two separate accounts provided to the victims to deposit the money,” said Nkwalase.
During the prison raid on Thursday, the Hawks found a total of 36 cellphones, 19 chargers and other accessories. More arrests are expected.
Members of the public who have fallen victim to the inmates are encouraged to contact the investigating officer, Detective-Captain Jacques Loock at 082-778-5626.
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