Man arrested for allegedly swindling his online lover out of more than R24m
The 42-year-old man was arrested in Cape Town on Tuesday, after he allegedly convinced his lover he met online that the money would be invested in a business project abroad, which she reported in 2022.
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CAPE TOWN - Western Cape police have urged women to be vigilant of online scammers who want to defraud them out of their money in the name of love.
This was after 42-year-old suspect, Raymond Butler, was arrested on Tuesday for allegedly swindling his lover he met online of over R24 million.
According to police reports, the couple met online where the suspect convinced the victim that the funds will be invested in a lucrative business project abroad. The scam victim reported the incident in 2022.
Police made a breakthrough in the week, tracing the swindler to an address in Charing Crescent at Parklands, Cape Town.
"The digital relationship expanded to the extent that the suspect convinced the complainant to invest R24 million in a project abroad,” said provincial police spokesperson Joseph Swartbooi.
“The investigating officer pursued the relevant information and ensured a breakthrough when he arrested a 42-year-old Nigerian national."
Once charged, the suspect is expected to appear in the Cape Town Magistrates Court for fraud.