MANZINI – Three alleged members of the ‘facata’ syndicate have been arrested and are now facing 60 criminal charges linked to a cyber fraud scheme involving E400 000.
The arrests bring to over 70 the number of suspects apprehended in connection with the ‘facata’ scam, which has seen members of the public lose millions of Emalangeni in alleged online and mobile banking fraud.
The accused are Londiwe Mbali Mamba (21) of Nkwene under Chief Mlayeto, Bandile Dlamini (30) of Mbangweni and Hlobsile Nosimilo Mnisi (25) of Dvokolwako under Chief Prince Madubane.
They appeared before the Manzini Magistrates Court facing 60 counts of fraud, theft by false pretences, money laundering and computer-related offences.
According to the charge sheet, the trio allegedly formed part of the ‘facata’ syndicate, a criminal network accused of targeting bank customers by falsely informing them that their accounts had been compromised.
It is alleged that the victims were persuaded to transfer their funds into accounts controlled by the suspects under the guise of securing their money.
The alleged offences were committed between August 2025 and February 2026 in Manzini, Mbabane, Siteki and Lobamba.
Prosecutors allege that the accused acted jointly and in furtherance of a common purpose to benefit a criminal enterprise.
In one of the counts, Mamba and Mnisi are charged under Section 5(2)(a)(b)(c) as read with Section 6(1)(b) of the Prevention of Organised Crime Act for allegedly stealing E267 500 from Lungile Dlamini in Manzini for the benefit of a criminal gang.
They also face a related charge of theft by false pretences arising from the same incident.
Other complainants listed in the charge sheet include Nonhlanhla Dube, who allegedly lost E26 500; Bertus Potgieter (E27 000); Joel Dlamini (E14 900); Bheki Shedrack Dube (E12 000); Dr Noah Nhleko (E5 000); Philile Mndzebele (E7 705.48); Aubrey Mayetsi (E4 200) and Bhekitje Dlamini (E4 200).
Each of the 60 counts relates to alleged fraudulent misrepresentation, unlawful electronic transfers and subsequent laundering of funds through various bank accounts and Mobile Money wallets.
*Full article available on Pressreader*
Leave a comment