Fake advocate bust for R1.5m fraud

A man who masqueraded as an advocate and allegedly defrauded unsuspecting clients of over R1.5 million in “legal fees”, appeared in the Johannesburg Specialised Commercial Crimes Court.

Johannesburg – A man who masqueraded as an advocate and allegedly defrauded unsuspecting clients of over R1.5 million in “legal fees”, appeared in the Johannesburg Specialised Commercial Crimes Court on Monday, the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks) said.

Hawks spokesman Major Robert Netshiunda said the Soweto man lured clients through his Facebook account on which he posed as a qualified advocate who had graduated with an LLM degree at the University of Witwatersrand, a B Juris and an LLB degree from the University of Cape Town, as well as a B Proc. degree from the University of Johannesburg.

“He was arrested on Saturday after he failed to avail himself in court to represent a client. The client subsequently opened a case against him. Investigations revealed that he was not a qualified lawyer and had only a matric certificate to his credit,” Netshiunda said.

He said the bogus advocate’s photographs on Facebook showed him in full legal regalia. The information posted suggested he started practicing in 2010 with his client base in and around Johannesburg.

The 33-year-old faces charges of fraud, impersonating legal representatives and contravening the attorneys’ act. He is expected back in court on May 30 where he will apply for bail.

African News Agency