The Alexandra Magistrate’s Court, in Joburg, has released 64-year-old Lars Niehaus, on bail after he was arrested as the third suspect in a case of theft, fraud and money laundering amounting to R2 million.
Gauteng spokesperson for the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, also known as the Hawks, Warrant Officer Thatohatsi Mavimbela said Niehaus is the third person to be arrested in the case where an unsuspecting woman lost R2 million.
“He is out on R50,000 bail,” Mavimbela responded to a query from IOL after Niehaus’s court appearance.
The case was postponed to November 14.
On Tuesday, IOL reported that Niehaus was arrested by the specialised police unit’s serious commercial crime investigation section, which is probing the scam.
“It is alleged that the complainant was approached in January 2022, whilst at a mall by an unknown male who claimed to be an influential businessman from the Democratic of Congo (DRC),” said Mavimbela.
“A prospect of a business opportunity to invest into mining of precious metals termed coltan was offered to the complainant.”
The woman, before she was scammed, raised concerns pertaining to the availability of a mining rights licence, and she was assured that she should not worry because all documentation would be availed by an entity based in the DRC.
The woman was lured to invest, with promises that her investment would be safe. She was told that the company in the DRC already possessed a licence to import minerals into South Africa.
“Follow up meetings were held with more individuals. Money for different reasons was demanded from the victim. These included (money for) trips to the DRC to meet with the minister of mining as well as a trip to Dubai to meet with potential buyers,” said Mavimbela.
The Hawks said the woman made payments into a business account named Highgate Lease and Trading (PTY) LTD which belongs to Niehaus.
“As a result of the scam the complainant ultimately suffered an actual loss of R2 million,” said Mavimbela.
A case was registered in August 2022, and it was assigned to the Hawks’ serious commercial crime investigation team.
“This led to the arrest of Lindiwe Makelele and Zingah Mpoyi whose accounts were used to launder some of the money,” said Mavimbela.
Makelele was arrested on March 25 and granted bail of R2,000 by the Alexandra Magistrate’s Court. Mpoyi was arrested on April 17, and granted bail of R5,000.
Mavimbela said on Thursday last week, investigators from the Hawks received information from members of the SA Police Service at OR Tambo International Airport regarding the imminent landing of Niehaus.
He was detained after landing at the busy airport in Kempton Park.
“On Friday, November 1, 2024, a warrant of arrest was executed and Niehaus made his first appearance on Monday, November 4, 2024. The matter was postponed to Tuesday for a formal bail application,” said Mavimbela.
IOL