AFU SECURES R 4.4 MILLION FORFEITURE ORDER RELATED TO TROUVA SCHEME
23 SEPTEMBER 2025
AFU SECURES R 4.4 MILLION FORFEITURE ORDER RELATED TO TROUVA SCHEME
The Pretoria High Court granted the National Prosecuting Authorities’ (NPA) Assert Forfeiture Unit ( AFU) a forfeiture order of R4.4 million held in 24 bank accounts of unsuspecting individuals in two banking institutions.
Investigations reveals that group of Chinese nationals paid unsuspecting individuals R200 to provide them with their details including their photos. Those details were used to open different bank accounts which were used to conduct complex networks of fraudulent multiplication investment schemes that were advertised and promoted on social media such as Facebook and WhatsApp.
The schemes were primarily promoted under different names such as “Trouva, Centamin, Hot Farm and/or Benchmark Woodworking” among others to mimic legitimate companies. These schemes took different forms and have been identified as having some features of both Ponzi and pyramid, where they defrauded investors by promising them unrealistic returns on investments, reliance on funds from new investors to sustain their operations, and payment of new investors from money received from earlier investors. Investors were lured into buying non-existent shares in sectors such as household furniture, agriculture and mining. The Investor would deposit money in view of the “shares” and ultimately lose it. This operation came to light when the banks alerted the National Consumer Commission (NCC) to a possible scam. On 04 February 2025 the NCC referred the matter to the AFU for financial investigations. In collaboration with the Financial Intelligence Centre (FIC) the AFU obtain a preservation order on 11 February 2025.
The forfeited funds will be paid into the Criminal Assert Recovery Account (CARA) ensuring that proceeds of crime are redirected to the state to strengthen the fight against organised crime. The NPA’s Asset Forfeiture Unit will continue to pursue all legal remedies to ensure that assets derived from unlawful activities are forfeited to the State.
Individuals who invested money into the scheme are encouraged to open criminal cases.
Issued by:
Lumka Mahanjana
NPA Regional Spokesperson
Gauteng Division: Pretoria
073 002 0000