The illicit trade in tobacco, especially cigarettes, costs South Africa's economy billions of rands annually through the loss of tax revenue. According to the South African Revenue Service (SARS), the estimated loss through the illegal cigarette trade for the 2015/16 financial year was R6 billion.

And it seems, the illegal cigarette trade will thrive due to the ban on legal sales in the country.

The continued ban forms part of the state's regulations governing the Covid-19 lockdown and has been in place since March 27.

Chad Thomas, CEO at IRS Forensic Investigations joins me now.

Stellenbosch police are seeking the assistance of women who have been defrauded by a man with the name of Rudi Brits.
It is alleged that Brits befriended wealthy women on a social media platform which led to romantic relationships. After moving in with the victims, he would borrow substantial amounts of money from them and disappear with the money and expensive household goods.

It sounded too good to be true, but somehow scores of people bought into the promise of lucrative returns hidden in Mandela Medallions.

Originally from ENCA

Now, more than ever, many South Africans want to own land. However, some fraudsters are taking advantage of this by scamming those desperate for something to call their own.

Section 417 report makes stark findings against business rescue practitioner Hans Klopper and corporate lawyer Connie Myburgh.

IRS Comment on Liquidations.

A Charl Pretorius might have information that would resolve the matter.
Police and forensic investigators are looking for a man who may have information about the alleged theft of a vehicle in a three-year cold case.

Article in The Citizen regarding IRS hunt for suspect.

Silver-tongued alleged fraudster Catharina Robberts - who is at the centre of six separate criminal investigations for fraud and theft - has another 12 million problems on her hands.

Umlazi-born fugitive Dennis Jali - hunted down by authorities in SA and in the US for allegedly defrauding investors in a get-rich-quick scheme - finds himself squarely in the crosshairs of the law.

Technology could soon be a powerful tool in the fight against corruption.

Shanice Naidoo about technology-based crime.
Comment from IRS as to the laws that help prevent, detect and fight these types of crimes.

Interview on KykNet Verslag regarding assassination of Marc Batchelor with comment by Chad Thomas from IRS.

Durban - A FOREX trader spent his birthday behind bars last week, after allegedly wining and dining his friends at a high-end Durban nightclub and then being unable to pay the R36000 bill.Durban - A FOREX trader spent his birthday behind bars last week, after allegedly wining and dining his friends at a high-end Durban nightclub and then being unable to pay the R36000 bill.Khanya Dlodlongwana, 20, who allegedly told his waiter he “left his bank card at home” when it was time to pay his bill, appeared at the Point Road Magistrate’s Court on Monday.

The Forensic Science Lab in Braamfontein may have to be shut down.
According to reports the facility which services Gauteng, Free State and the North West is not up to standard.

'Undercover Billionaires' scheme unravels, but son still offers instant wealth.
Being arrested and out on bail has seemingly done little to break the speed of alleged forex and crypto-currency pyramid scheme mastermind Kgopotso Louis Junior Tshakoane.

Article in Sunday Times about joint Hawks/IRS investigation into "Undercover Billionaires" with Hawks spokesperson confirming IRS involvement in the investigation case and thanking IRS for being "extremely helpful"!

Despite the SAPS’ refusal to identify the man killed in Bryanston on last week, known private investigator Chad Thomas said the deceased was the same man who had survived a shooting in Bedfordview in 2017.

What makes South Africa attractive to foreign criminals? Are Eastern European gangs exporting their turf wars to this country.

Interview with Mandy Wiener and Chad Thomas from IRS on eNCA discussing the rise in underworld assassinations.

Unregistered rental agency shuts down after more than R1m in trust fund money vanishes.
The Hawks are investigating the affairs of an unregistered Johannesburg estate agency that went bust after more than R1m in funds disappeared from trust accounts.

Article in The Times about IRS investigation into alleged theft of over R1 million of money held in trust by estate agent.

Orignally from TimesLIVE

Africa’s Most Successful Trader’ and ‘international bestselling author’ Jacques Magliolo is being accused of fraud and running a Ponzi scheme.

Jacques Magliolo was a person of interest in an IRS investigation when he was part of the establishment of a "peer-to-peer" funding scheme known as "2FundU" through "Business Consultants International" with Andy Anderson, Paul Zeitsman and Otto van Tonder.

Cape Town - Police in Gauteng and the Western Cape are looking for a German national, Oliver Thal, who is wanted for several fraud cases.

Article about convicted fraudster Oliver Thal who handed himself over last week based on a warrant that had been issued for his arrest.

Otto van Tonder, who was last week tracked to the Free State town of Virginia, was yesterday formally processed at the Vosloorus police station. Otto van Tonder, who was last week tracked to the Free State town of Virginia, was yesterday formally processed at the Vosloorus police station. 

He was later released from the cells based on an informal deal he agreed to with the victim. It is our opinion that the majority of "informal deals" concluded between victims and alleged fraudsters will never be honored and cannot be enforced.

The dangers of making such deals is that it can turn a blatantly criminal case into a civil case. Once a victim withdraws a case, it would be exceptionally difficult to get the case reopened and reenrolled. 

Private investigators and SAPS should not be misused as "debt collectors" because that is not our role.

A victim should allow for the investigation and prosecution to proceed. The Criminal Procedure Act allows, under certain conditions, for financial restitution should the suspect be found guilty, plead guilty or enter into a plea agreement.

Abraham Gerhardus Hendrik van Tonder, commonly known as Otto van Tonder, is wanted for fraud. A warrant for his arrest has been issued.