Members of an alleged international scam syndicate appeared before the Johannesburg Commercial Crime Court, where they face charges related to the contravention of the Financial Advisory and Intermediary Services Act (FAIS Act).
The suspects were arrested on Tuesday in a coordinated, multi-agency operation led by the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI). Arrests were carried out across several Gauteng areas, including Bryanston, Randburg and Centurion.
According to authorities, the arrests followed guided investigations that involved extensive international cooperation. Agencies that participated in the investigation include the South African Police Service Crime Intelligence, the Financial Intelligence Centre, the United Kingdom’s National Crime Agency, the United States Department of Homeland Security, as well as Australian investigation firms IFW and CyberTrace. These efforts were supported by local agencies.
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson, Phindi Mjonodwane, said the accused allegedly operated call centres that provided financial services without being registered as financial advisers or as authorised representatives of the Financial Sector Conduct Authority.
It’s alleged that more than 40 victims from countries including the United States, Australia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom were deceived into investing in what they believed were legitimate investment opportunities.
It is further alleged that the victims collectively invested more than R1 billion, with a portion of the funds reportedly used to sustain the operations of the call centres.
Mjonodwane said the NPA continues to make progress in dismantling organised criminal networks, despite the complex and deeply entrenched nature of organised crime in the country.
The case was postponed to February 4, 2026, for the accused to apply for bail.
sinenhlanhla.masilela@iol.co.za
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