Hlobisile Mdlalose, 42, was sentenced by the Mthatha Specialised Commercial Crimes Court on Friday.
The Directorate for Priority Crimes Investigation, known as the Hawks, reported that Mdlalose was apprehended in Johannesburg in September 2023 and transported to the Eastern Cape while in custody.
Discussing the case, Warrant Officer Ndiphiwe Mhlakuvana explained that the complainant had come across an online advertisement for a house available for purchase in Newtown, Lusikisiki, Eastern Cape.
“After noticing the listing, the complainant contacted the estate agent through the number provided in the advertisement to express interest in buying the property.
“Mdlalose then instructed the complainant to make a payment and sent an offer to purchase via email.
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“The complainant signed the offer to purchase and promptly returned it to the suspect that same day.
“Additionally, the complainant received a call from Fotoh Associates Inc. Attorneys, requesting Financial Intelligence Centre Act (FICA) documentation.
“After providing the necessary documents, the complainant received another email containing Nedbank account details and instructions to deposit the payment into that account.”
According to the Hawks, the complainant subsequently transferred R650,000 into the specified account.
Later, the law firm informed the complainant that they had not received any payment in their official banking account. Furthermore, the firm’s director confirmed that the given account was not associated with their company.”
Following her arrest, Mdlalose was granted bail set at R8,000.
