Con artist poses as Gigaba

A CON artist masquerading as Public Enterprises Minister Malusi Gigaba has attempted to swindle a government official out of her hard-earned cash.

Nomfundiso Kulati told Sowetan she met the alleged fraudster last month through Facebook.

"I saw Gigaba's profile on Facebook and sent a friendship request," Kulati said. "After he accepted the request, he asked how he could help me. I told him I would like to start a business, but was struggling with funds.

"When I explained the business idea, he said I was a woman with a progressive business idea and he would be 100% behind me. I started feeling confident about the idea."

They exchanged private e-mail addresses and "Gigaba" said he would link Kulati with his subordinate "Charles", who would organise the funding.

"Charles sent an e-mail saying he has got a political order from the minister to help me and that his preliminary investigation discovered that my business idea was worth R500-million. Charles said in order to get access to funding, I should register on a database for businesses in the UK."

Charles called her the next day and said she must give R7000 for registration. "I told him that I don't have money and he said he would assist by paying half of the amount."

Kulati then told him that she would try to raise the cash the following morning.

When she requested the banking details, Charles supplied her with those of an account from a local bank and the account holder was named Kelvin.

"I became suspicious and asked why the account was from a local bank. I was told Kelvin would transfer the money to the UK account," she said.

Kulati then called the Department of Public Enterprises and discovered it was a hoax.

Gigaba's spokesman Mayihlome Tshwete said the matter had been referred to a number of security departments for investigation, but no one had been arrested yet.