- Okori’s next court appearance is scheduled for October 14
A 39-year-old Nigerian national, Gabriel Okori, has been remanded in custody in South Africa for allegedly defrauding a woman of R3 million through an online romance scam.
Mr. Okori appeared before the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court on Monday, October 7, following his arrest last Thursday in Cape Town by the Hawks, South Africa’s Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, in collaboration with the City of Cape Town’s law enforcement and a private security firm.
The Hawks’ spokesperson, Warrant Officer Thatohatsi Mavimbela, said the victim met Okori on Facebook, where he posed as a white man named “Mark Hermanus.” They later communicated via WhatsApp, where he claimed his son was seriously ill, persuading the woman to send money for medical expenses.
The victim reportedly transferred over R3 million, believing “Hermanus” would repay her once his son’s medical bills were settled. However, the promised repayment never came, prompting the victim to report the case to the Hawks’ serious commercial crime unit.
Okori’s next court appearance is scheduled for October 14.
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