South African Woman Scammed Out of R200K by Foreign Man She Met on Tinder
A woman from Ekurhuleni has fallen victim to a fraudulent scheme, losing R200,000 to a man she met on a Tinder dating app.
The scam has left her devastated and eager to warn others about the dangers of online relationships.
Also Read: Nigerian Man Pretends to Be White, Dates And Scams South African Woman of R3 Million
Fraudulent Romance and Elaborate Lies
The 39-year-old mother, who has chosen to remain anonymous, met a man named “Khalid” on Tinder in November 2023.
Khalid, who claimed to be 41 years old, presented himself as a loving partner and potential business partner.
According to IOL, their relationship spanned a year, during which Khalid fabricated stories about owning properties, including a guest house in Midrand and a house in Sandown Park Village.
“He used to do everything for me, and I never thought I would fall victim. I am sharing this to caution other independent women,” the woman explained.
Ekurhuleni Woman Scammed Out of R200K by Man She Met on Tinder (Image Credit: IOL)A Deceptive “Prayer Room” and Supernatural Claims
Khalid’s house included a “private prayer room” that he initially prohibited her from entering. Eventually, he invited her into the room, where he claimed to communicate with his ancestors.
During one session, she heard a voice allegedly welcoming her as a daughter-in-law. Khalid convinced her to participate in rituals involving milk, which he claimed would cleanse her bad luck.
“I heard a voice saying they welcome me as a daughter-in-law. He told me their son would soon come to my home for lobola negotiations. The voice said I had bad luck and wanted to cleanse it with milk. He instructed me to take milk and put it under the bed.
The voice sounded like someone prophesying. I started to believe him. He questioned me about my job, and whether I had savings, and I told him I was on a contract with no savings. He said he wanted to bless me with money and instructed the imposter to buy a trunk,” she recalled.
Khalid introduced a small trunk, which he claimed could generate money through blessings. After placing R390 in the trunk and returning days later, they found it filled with cash—a staged act that further convinced her of his legitimacy.
Loan Manipulation and Financial Loss
The scam escalated when Khalid persuaded the woman to take out loans, claiming it was necessary to unlock a supposed R4 million in the trunk. On July 4, 2024, she secured a loan of R200,000, which she handed over to Khalid, believing it would be blessed and returned.
“The voice told me to withdraw the money so it could be blessed. I was manipulated; I saw the money and needed it,” she said.
Khalid continued to control her finances under the guise of support, even paying her child’s school fees and giving her a “girlfriend allowance.”
“The guy was very supportive; he paid my child’s school fees and gave me a girlfriend allowance, not knowing he was using my money. I kept asking him for the loan money back, but he kept making excuses. We were told not to share what happened in the prayer room, or we would go crazy. I was afraid and never told anyone.”
However, he soon disappeared, cutting off communication and leaving her with the debt.
“He disappeared. Whenever I called, he made excuses, but now his phone is off. I even went to where he used to live, and the security said those people were gone and wanted by police,” she said
Police Investigation Underway
Gauteng police have confirmed that a case of fraud was opened at Boksburg Police Station. According to Gauteng Provincial SAPS spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Mavela Masondo, investigations are ongoing, but no arrests have been made.
The victim revealed that police believe Khalid may be in the Brits area of North West or the Western Cape. She was also informed that at least three other women have filed similar complaints against him.
“Police can confirm that a case of fraud has been opened, and an investigation is under way,” said Lieutenant Colonel Masondo.
A Warning to Other Women
The victim is now sharing her story to warn others about potential scams.
“Please help by exposing the man who scammed me, Khalid. When we first met, he used to do everything for me. I never knew I would fall victim, and I am sharing this to caution other independent women,” she said.