# Five suspects nabbed for R5.7m UIF fraud in predawn raid by Hawks

- Link: https://dearsouthafrica.co.za/2020/07/05/five-suspects-nabbed-for-r5-7m-uif-fraud-in-predawn-raid-by-hawks/
- Published: 2020-07-05T13:53:51+02:00
- Author: dearSA

![](https://cdn.dearsouthafrica.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/20191020/hawks-
za.jpeg "hawks-za")

[By Jeff Wicks, Times LIVE](https://www.timeslive.co.za/news/south-africa/2020-07-04-five-suspects-nabbed-for-r57m-uif-fraud-in-predawn-raid-by-hawks/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=Facebook#Echobox=1593860636)

Hawks investigators descended on several properties in Pretoria in an early morning
raid on Saturday to round up five suspects linked to a R5.7m UIF fraud and money-
laundering scam.

The suspects cannot be named until they have appeared before a court.

Hawks spokesperson Col Katlego Mogale said that three men and two women — aged between
25 and 68 — were taken into custody in the predawn raid.

“This is following an intensive investigation into a case registered at Brooklyn
SAPS relating to the Unemployment Insurance Fund Covid-19 relief. The suspects were
traced to various residences in Soshanguve, Atteridgeville and Mamelodi,” she said.

“Five vehicles, including a Range Rover Evoque, were recovered from the scenes as
well as other items suspected to have been bought with the monies which weren’t 
meant for the suspects,” she added.

Two weeks ago, the graft-busting Asset Forfeiture Unit secured a preservation order
in the Pretoria high court, freezing R3.2m in cash in 28 bank accounts.

R2.4m remains in the ether.

Hawks investigators and operatives from the Financial Intelligence Centre had followed
the money from the UIF into the bank account of a factory worker.

His bank account details had been inexplicably swapped with those of his employer,
and the misstep saw Covid-19 relief funds meant for 1,400 paid into his account.

Detectives, on being alerted to the scam, unravelled a web of payments, which saw
funds hastily moved between the man’s family members and his girlfriend, according
to documents before court.

The Sunday Times and TimesLIVE reported that the family had splurged on cars, tombstones
and catering equipment.