Investigators are satisfied that all the suspects in the R130 million fraud at Cell C have been rounded up after two more suspects appeared in the Palm Ridge Specialised Commercial Crimes Court.
Iceberg Technology Solution (PTY) Ltd’s Director 70-year-old Robert Stephen Holloway and MTN IT Security Manager 43-year-old Christopher Marrian were charged for their role in the massive fraud, which involved inflating costs on invoices when billing Cell C.
Iceberg Technology Solution (PTY) Ltd rendered IT and network services for Cell C between 2010 and 2017 during which the company allegedly colluded to inflate prices.
Allegations are that Holloway’s company transferred about R14.5 million of the money allegedly stolen from Cell C into the bank account of Techno Genius in the same period.
In addition to fraud, Holloway faces charges of money laundering.
Adriaan Pillay, his wife 37-year-old Michelle Pillay, 42-year-old Khatiya Patel, and her husband 44-year-old Mohamed Ismail Adamjee, 62-year-old Manuel Reimaldo Teixeira, 59-year-old Lufuno Lesly Nevhutalu, and 45-year-old Hilel January have all been charged for their alleged part in the fraud.
When Khatiya Patel appeared in court last week it was alleged that she colluded and inflated rates for the IT and network services rendered to Cell C while working as an Administrator at Techno Genius.
Fraud accused Michelle Pillay is said to have received about R3 million from the proceeds of the crime. The money was allegedly paid into her bank account.
This week on Monday, another accused in the matter Hilel January appeared in the Palm Ridge Specialised Commercial Crimes Court on charges of fraud and money laundering.
January is accused of involvement in the fraud in which Cell C’s money was allegedly stolen using inflated invoices from IT and network service providers, Redefine Technology, Cornerstone & Blue Kit IT, and Techno Genius between 2012 and 2019.
All the accused have been granted bail of varying amounts up to R50 000.
Captain Ndivhuwo Mulamu said the appearance of Halloway and Marian in court “finally completed the web on Cell C’s missing millions” allegedly stolen by former employees and service providers.
All nine accused persons are expected to be back in court next week on Wednesday, 16 February.
