Eastern Cape woman loses R110 000 in forex scam, suspect nabbed at OR Tambo

A woman from the Eastern Cape lost R110 000 after depositing the money in a forex scam with the assumption that she would get a handsome return—which she never did.

Zanele Qasha, 39, was apprehended by the Hawks on Wednesday at OR Tambo International Airport after nine years on the run.

On Thursday, she was arraigned in the Kempton Park Regional Court on allegations of investment scheme fraud.

Captain Yolisa Mgolodela, a spokeswoman for the Hawks Eastern Cape, reported that a lady invested the funds following Qasha's presentation on forex trading investments at the Lilitha Guest House conference room in Butterworth on April 4, 2013.

The Hawks said that Qasha persuaded participants to engage in the program and pay a R10,000 membership fee after introducing herself as the director of Pro Investment Forex in Kwa Bhaca (formerly Mount Frere).

They said that she made a commitment to the participants that the funds invested would earn a 15% interest rate on a quarterly basis.

According to Mgolodela, the complainant reportedly put R110 000 into Qasha's bank account, but months went by before she received any money.

“According to reports, she inquired about the situation and was given approximate dates for when she might anticipate her money. After that, the suspect was said to have vanished, prompting the complainant to launch a case against Qasha with the Hawks in 2013, leading to her detention on July 6.”

Then Mgolodela On Monday, Qasha was scheduled to appear before the Mthatha Specialized Commercial Crimes Court.