‘R500k swindler’ nabbed after scamming businessman
Suspect, sister and another co-accused appear in court
A man suspected of swindling a businessman of over R500,000 is set to face the Benoni Magistrate’s Court on Monday. Philendran Raman, who was apprehended in Durban recently, made his initial court appearance on Wednesday and was held in custody, waiting for his next hearing on Monday. Alongside him were his sister, Kerusha Salig, and another woman named Kumeshni Naidoo.
The women were released on R3,000 bail each, with the stipulation that they must report to their nearest police station weekly. In 2012, Raman was in Durban for allegedly selling hired cars to people and then disappearing with their money. In 2023, Raman posed as a car salesman to businessman Sipho Mhlanga, who is in the logistics and trucking industry.
Mhlanga explained that he paid R500,000 to Raman, who promised to assist Mhlanga and his business partner in securing a R50 million loan. Raman allegedly introduced Naidoo as a high-ranking Absa employee and persuaded Mhlanga to pay multiple installments, amounting to more than R500,000. After the payment, the trio informed Mhlanga that the process would resume in January.
When Mhlanga attempted to bail Raman out in November, one of the women, Naidoo, revealed that a client had arrested Raman due to a misunderstanding. The client informed Mhlanga that Raman had coerced her into selling her watch and wedding ring, which were valued in the millions. After confronting Raman, he threatened to send people to kill Mhlanga.
Mhlanga reported the case in July, and Raman and the other two were arrested this week. Gauteng police spokesperson Captain Tintswalo Sibeko confirmed that Benoni police are investigating the fraud case, and that Raman, along with the two female suspects, were arrested and appeared in court. Two female suspects have been granted bail, while the male suspect was remanded in custody and is scheduled to appear in court on Monday.
Sibeko urged anyone who fell victim to the scam to come forward and help build a strong case against the accused.
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