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

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.

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