Times Of Swaziland: E47.5M FRAUD ATTEMPT: FORMER ERS  EMPLOYEE  TARGETED  BIG COMPANIES

E47.5M FRAUD ATTEMPT: FORMER ERS  EMPLOYEE  TARGETED  BIG COMPANIES
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Sibusiso Shange on 12/12/2024 14:39:00


MBABANE - A former Eswatini Revenue Service (ERS) employee has been arrested for
allegedly attempting to defraud reputable construction companies.
Information gathered is that Mpendulo Mabuza, who was well versed with the
operations of his former employer, targeted big construction companies with
intent to obtain from them a sum of  E47 576 989. The companies include AG
Thomas and Inyatsi Group Holdings. It is said that the companies suffered a
potential loss of E47 576 989. His arrest comes after ERS issued a notice
warning members of the public about a phishing scam whereby its name was being
used.
A phishing scam is a type of cyber-attack, where scammers attempt to trick you
into revealing sensitive information, such as your passwords, credit card
numbers or ID number. They often do this by sending you emails, texts or phone
calls that appear to be from a legitimate company, like your bank or a popular
online retailer. It is alleged that Mabuza misrepresented to the construction
companies, that his former employer has changed its bank account number and
further directed them to deposit money into the new account, which had nothing
to do with ERS. After some delays in the payments, it is alleged that Mabuza
sent the companies letters of demand via emails, before he approached them in
person.
Loan
It is said that he also posed as an ERS officer and applied for a loan amounting
to E20 000, which was paid into his bank account, to the prejudice and actual
loss to Nedbank. It is said that Mabuza defrauded his employer before he
allegedly proceeded to the big construction companies. It is alleged that upon
or during the October, 2024, at or near the Eswatini Revenue Service, Mabuza
misrepresented to his former employer that Inyatsi Group Holdings had changed
its First National Bank account number to 6217017432. It is said that the ERS
suffered a potential loss of E3 939 553, which was to be paid into the said bank
account.
It is alleged that during October 2024, at or near AG Thomas, Mabuza
misrepresented to the company that that the ERS had a new First National Bank
account number: 6217091743. It is said that AT Thomas suffered a potential loss
of E6 364 530, which was due to be paid into the said bank account. In the month
of October, 2024, it is alleged that at or near Inyatsi Group Holdings, the
accused also misrepresented to the company that his former employer had this
first National Bank account number: 62170917432, resulting in the construction
company suffering a potential loss of E37 272 906, which was due to be paid into
the said account number. It is said that on December 9, 2024, he impersonated an
ERS officer engaged in the carrying out provisions of the order by going in
person to AG Thomas to perform his former company’s duties, knowing very well
that he was no longer employed by the company.
Mabuza allegedly held himself as an ERS officer engaged in carrying out
provisions of the order through sending a letter of demand via email purporting
to be ERS knowing very well that he was no longer employed by the company. He is
also said to have posed as an ERS employee and applied for a loan amounting to
E20 000 at the Gables branch, resulting in FNB suffering an actual loss of E20
000.
Bail
When informed of his right to legal representation, Mabuza elected to conduct
his own defence since his cellphones were currently seized by the police. The
Crown applied that he be remanded in custody until December 20, 2024, pending
setting of trial date. The Crown also indicated that it was not opposed to bail
should Mabuza applied for it. Mbabane Principal Magistrate, Fikile Nhlabatsi
admitted him to bail fixed at E10 000 on conditions that he is not found to have
committed a similar offence while out on bail. Mabuza was warned against
interfering with the Crown witnesses. He was also warned to attend all remand
and hearings whenever ordered to do so.