• News
  • Sport
  • TV
  • Radio
  • Education
  • TV Licences
  • Contact Us

For all official information and updates regarding COVID-19, visit the South African Department of Health's website at www.sacoronavirus.co.za

No Result
View All Result
  • SOUTH AFRICA
  • POLITICS
  • BUSINESS
  • SPORT
  • AFRICA
  • WORLD
  • SCI-TECH
  • LIFESTYLE
  • FEATURES
  • OPINION
Home South Africa

18-year-old Durban woman defrauded of inheritance left by late father

29 May 2022, 1:51 PM  |
Nonkululeko Hlophe Nonkululeko Hlophe |  @SABCNews
South African bank notes featuring an image of former South African President Nelson Mandela are displayed at an office in Johannesburg.

South African bank notes featuring an image of former South African President Nelson Mandela are displayed at an office in Johannesburg.

Image: Reuters

South African bank notes featuring an image of former South African President Nelson Mandela are displayed at an office in Johannesburg.

A Durban woman says she is a victim of fraud claiming that her inheritance left to her by her late father was transferred from one bank account to another without her authorisation.

Speaking under condition of anonymity, the 18-year-old believes her details were leaked by a government official at the Master of the High Court in Pietermaritzburg. Now she wants justice.

This Durban woman has asked to remain anonymous. For the purposes of this story, she will be referred to as Sarah.

She says she fears for her life because she is speaking out about her ordeal to get back her inheritance. The funds had been held for her by the Guardian Fund until she turned 18. It falls under the administration of the Master of the High Court. The Fund was established to protect and manage the money of minors until they are old enough to handle their own affairs.

Sarah says her late father was a government employee. Fighting back tears, she says she received a call from a person not known to her who claimed to be verifying her banking details to enable her to receive her inheritance.

“We went to the Pietermaritzburg High Court at Masters Office we were accompanied by our grandmother, to lodge a claim of our inheritance, we were told the money would be paid in three months. As days of the payout were getting closer, I got another call from someone who claimed they are from Pietermaritzburg High Court. They wanted to ensure the money would be paid to a right account, I just confirmed my banking details, to my surprise the person had all my details including my ID number. The man also told me he would pass the call to a Capitec agent. She also claimed to be verifying my banking details, the two said they were trying to prevent fraud,” says Sarah.

Funds transferred out of account

Sarah has bank statements showing that the funds were released from the Guardian Fund into her Capitec bank account. On that same day, a transfer was made out of her account to an unknown Absa account. Now unemployed at 18, she had plans to use the funds to start a small business.

Sarah says she wants justice and for her rightful inheritance to be returned to her.

“I believe my details were sold by someone at the Master’s Office in Pietermaritzburg to these people who stole my money. The people at the High Court knew when the money was to be paid to me, the women who took my money waited and even phoned me to confirm that the money was in the account. All I want is that money is returned to me, I also wish police investigation can ensure whoever is busy working with criminals, giving them information of people who are about to receive their monies, so they can be targeted by criminals. This is a fight I am not willing to let go of. I want my every cent,” says Sarah.

Sarah’s uncle says the ordeal has left the family devastated and under strain. He says her grandmother has been hospitalised several times since the funds went missing.

“My mother is devastated by this ordeal since she is the one who has been looking after my late sister’s children so now when she was hoping the child will be able to look after herself, thieves decide to take all those hopes away. I think banks are protecting criminals in disguise of protecting their clients. In this instance, the bank has even refused to freeze the account where my niece’s money was taken, we have all the proof with the account number. This big bank is not cooperative with the police investigation to ensure the person who received the money is arrested,” says Sarah’s uncle.

KwaZulu-Natal police say they have traced the Absa account holder to Johannesburg. The matter has been handed over to the Hawks.

In an email, Absa says they are investigating all cases of fraud comprehensively, taking unique circumstances into consideration. They further state that their internal controls were not compromised.

Share article
Tags: DurbanFraudABSA
Previous Post

Cape Town invites public participation into its affordable housing aspirations

Next Post

Pope names 21 new cardinals, putting stamp on Church’s future

Related Posts

Western Cape Health announces integration of clinics and healthcare services

25 June 2022, 9:53 PM
Chief Justice Zondo handing over the final state capture report to President Ramaphosa

State capture report failed to answer important questions, analyst

25 June 2022, 9:49 PM
MM Sebitloane and Resource School

Former learners with learning disabilities empowered and employed by MM Sebitloane Special school in Taung

25 June 2022, 8:27 PM
The Late AmaZulu King Goodwill Zwelithini

Cleansing ceremony currently underway for the AmaZulu royal family

25 June 2022, 5:32 PM
Durban residents are calling for efforts to be made to keep reopen Highway Hospice's in-patient unit

Durban hospice closes in-patient facilities due to low funds

25 June 2022, 5:12 PM
A train is seen on a track in Cape Town.

Train service in Gqeberha, East London resume following breakdowns

25 June 2022, 12:31 PM
Next Post
Pope Francis leaves at the end of the weekly general audience at the Vatican, May 25, 2022. REUTERS/Yara Nardi

Pope names 21 new cardinals, putting stamp on Church's future

Most Viewed

  • 24hrs
  • Week
  • Month
  • EMS says fire at Bree Street Taxi Rank in Johannesburg has been extinguished
  • The public has until 18 May to make submissions on Icasa’s regulations for extension of expiry period for data, airtime
  • ANC NEC expected to hold a special meeting on Sunday
  • Eastern Cape flood victims plead for support as access to food, services remains difficult
  • Amathole Regional Secretary elated to have corruption charges against him dropped
  • South Africans no longer required to wear face masks indoors
  • South Africans to brace for another Petrol price hike
  • More COVID-19 restrictions could be lifted including the wearing of masks
  • Video: Illegal immigrants arrested entering SA through fire hydrant at O.R. Tambo airport
  • First case of Monkeypox detected in South Africa
  • Mosimane alleges sabotage from CAF President Patrice Motsepe
  • SANTACO and NTA calls on COSATU to join the national shutdown over the hiking fuel prices
  • 18-year-old Durban woman defrauded of inheritance left by late father
  • NTA yet to decide whether to support calls for national shutdown amid fuel price hikes
  • South Africans no longer required to wear face masks indoors

LATEST

  • South Africa
  • Sci-tech

Western Cape Health announces integration of clinics and healthcare services


Chief Justice Zondo handing over the final state capture report to President Ramaphosa
  • South Africa

State capture report failed to answer important questions, analyst


MM Sebitloane and Resource School
  • South Africa

Former learners with learning disabilities empowered and employed by MM Sebitloane Special school in Taung


  • World

Protestors have the first say as G7 Summit opens in Germany


Ducati's Francesco Bagnaia
  • Sport

Ducati’s Bagnaia secures second straight pole in Assen


The Pumas celebrate their first Currie Cup final and win
  • Sport
  • Rugby

Pumas defy odds to be crowned Currie Cup champions


Weather

  • About the SABC
  • Contact Us
  • Jobs
  • Advertise
  • Disclaimer
  • Site Map

SABC © 2022

No Result
View All Result
  • SOUTH AFRICA
  • POLITICS
  • BUSINESS
  • SPORT
  • AFRICA
  • WORLD
  • SCI-TECH
  • LIFESTYLE
  • FEATURES
  • OPINION

© 2022

Previous Cape Town invites public participation into its affordable housing aspirations
Next Pope names 21 new cardinals, putting stamp on Church’s future