A 29-year-old North West woman has been sentenced to 15 years imprisonment after she defrauded clients a staggering R3.7 million after promising them low-priced luxury vehicles imported from the United States.
Nachy Britz was sentenced by the Brits Magistrate’s Court on Monday after she was found guilty of two counts of fraud.
Provincial Hawks spokesperson, Lieutenant Colonel Tinyiko Mathebula, said between 2016 and 2018, Britz defrauded unsuspecting victims by tricking them into believing that she was a legitimate businesswoman who imports luxury vehicles from the US at a reasonable price.
“The victims showed interest in some of the vehicles that Britz presented to them. One victim paid Britz over R2.9 million to import Ford Mustangs and Harley Davidson motorcycles.
“Another victim, who entered into a business partnership with her, paid over R800,000 to import the vehicles,” said Mathebula.
Mathebula said that during investigations, it was discovered that Britz created different email accounts from which she would communicate with the victims giving them progress reports about their imported vehicles.
“After failing to fulfil her promise, she was confronted by the victims who demanded their monies back,” said Mathebula.
Mathebula said Britz managed to pay back some complainants and they dropped the charges against her.
“However, she failed to pay back two victims, whom she still owes R2.9 million and R800,000 respectively.”
Mathebula said after making a series of court appearances, she was sentenced to 15 years imprisonment for each count of fraud.
The court ordered that the sentences run concurrently as result, Britz will effectively serve 15 years jail term.
sinenhlanhla.masilela@iol.co.za
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