Two relatives, Kgotlelelo Molokoane, aged 42, and her nephew Thabang Molokoane, aged 34, found themselves in court facing charges of fraud, theft, and contravening the Prevention of Organised Crime Act after allegedly orchestrating a sophisticated Tinder scam.

The scam targeted a 67-year-old widow named Katz, who was looking for companionship on the dating platform

In August 2014, Katz encountered a man on Tinder who identified himself as Shane Brandauer, claiming to be a self-employed medical supply contractor with a lucrative contract at Olivedale Hospital in Randburg.

Brandauer gradually gained Katz’s trust over time and convinced her to invest in his purported company, promising substantial returns from the hospital contract.

Despite being widowed and vulnerable, Katz trusted her new romantic partner and transferred a total of R2,020,000 to two bank accounts held in the names of Molokoane (Standard Bank) and Thabang (First National Bank).

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