news

Jan. 12, 2023

LIKELELI MAJARA

2 min read

SA con-artist defrauds four over M15 000

SA con-artist defrauds four over M15 000

The Maseru Magistrate's Court

Story highlights

    The white fraudster claims he wanted to hide money from his estranged wife
    The accused man checked out of his motel without paying his bills

Metro Audio Articles

Catch our weekly audio news daily only on Metro Radio Podcast News.

listen now

A suspected serial con artist from South Africa who allegedly defrauded three people and a motel where he was staying is expected back in the Maseru Magistrate’s Court next week Tuesday to stand trial.

David Gibbons, 40, who made his maiden appearance in the same court last week Tuesday was remanded in custody as the prosecution suspected he was a flight risk.

Evidence before court shows that earlier this month, Gibbons who is a white South African man asked a Ha Matala woman for a short-term loan worth M2 500, saying he had quarreled with his wife and she took his bank cards, hence, was unable to immediately access his money.

The 39-year-old victim was, however, only able to raise M1 500, which she gave to the accused.

It is alleged that Gibbons later returned to the victim and showed her a bank statement that indicated that he had deposited M8 000 into her account.

The court heard how Gibbons instructed the woman to withdraw all the deposited cash, keep her share, and hand over the balance to him.

But the victim suspected foul play when she did not receive any notification message of the said deposit on her mobile phone.

Another victim who came forward claims that Gibbons swindled M10 600 out of her.

The woman says Gibbons claimed to be divorcing his wife and wanted to deposit M185 000 into her account to hide it from his wife.

Gibbons is said to have shown that his wife was in possession of his bank cards, hence, he would deposit the money online.

Enjoy our daily newsletter from today

Access exclusive newsletters, along with previews of new media releases.

A third victim claims she was defrauded cash to the value of M4 8000, adding the accused had requested M6 000.

She said the man claimed he was going to pay his motel bill and would later reimburse her with an additional M3 000 as interest.

It is further alleged that Gibbons checked out of the motel where he was staying without settling his bill.

He is alleged to have arrived at the establishment without a luggage bag.

The matter was postponed to next week Tuesday for hearing pending ongoing police investigations.

Share the story

METRO WEATHER FORECAST