Joburg Cryptocurrency Dealers In The Dock For R34 Million Fraud

Cryptocurrency dealers 57-year-old Zain Muhammed Valle and 25-year-old Michelle Bianca Bezuidenhout appeared in the Lenasia Regional Court Wednesday on fraud and money laundering charges involving R34 million.

The pair were arrested yesterday by the Hawks’ Serious Commercial Crime Investigation team in Johannesburg.

Valle and Bezuidenhout were arrested at their respective residences in Lenasia and Alberton, in Johannesburg.

“Their arrest emanated from the alleged cryptocurrency establishment scam where the complainant was lured to invest in Siyakhula Logistics Pty (LTD) in February 2020, with potential lucrative dividends,” said Captain Ndivhuwo Mulamu.

“The complainant allegedly transferred approximately R34 million into the establishment and Bezuidenhout’s bank accounts, on different transactions.

“Valle and Bezuidenhout joined 32-year-old Jarrod de Lange in the dock today, who was arrested in 2020 by the Lenasia police for the same charges.”

Captain Mulamu said allegations are that Valle introduced the complainant, whose identity has not been revealed, to his business acquaintance, De Lange to enter into a partnership in the cryptocurrency establishment.

However, the invested money was allegedly used for the business of the leverage trading company without the complainant’s consent.

Valle and Bezuidenhout were granted R10 000 bail each, whereas Bezuidenhout’s husband and co-accused, De Lange was released on a R20 000 bail.

The case was postponed to 19 July 2022.