A 29-year-old alleged fraudster, Sean Westcott (29), briefly appeared in the Vryheid Magistrate’s Court today following his arrest by the Hawks’ Serious Commercial Crime Investigating unit on Saturday.
Westcott is accused of operating illegal businesses purporting to assist members of the public in reaching apparent unclaimed benefits from the Department of Labour and previous employers at an administration fee of R1000 per claimant since April 2017.
It is alleged that Westcott allegedly solicited more than R10 million from the victims predominantly from Ulundi and Nongoma areas thus far. Following a flood of complaints a case of fraud which was subsequently transferred to the Hawks was registered at the Vryheid Police Station in 2018.
The Hawks consequently searched Westcott business premises in June 2018, where documentary and electronic evidence were seized for further investigation. It is further alleged that Westcott continued with his impunity following the search and seizure.
The matter against Westcott who is facing more than 500 charges of fraud, money laundering and Contravention of the Banks Act has been postponed to the 26th of February 2019 for a formal bail application. The accused remains in custody.
