NPA secures preservation order on R21.55m after alleged Absa online banking scam

The National Prosecuting Authority’s Asset Forfeiture Unit (AFU) has obtained a court order preserving roughly R21.55 million in funds it says were diverted in an alleged online banking scam targeting a Middelburg company. The preservation order applies to nine Absa bank accounts while forfeiture proceedings continue in the high court.

How investigators say the scam unfolded

NPA regional spokesperson Monica Nyuswa said the incident began on 21 May 2026 when Jormid’s financial manager, Mrs Jordaan, received WhatsApp messages that were purportedly from Absa. The messages indicated that “suspicious transactions” had been detected on Jormid’s business account and asked her to confirm whether she had authorised them.

Nyuswa said that after Mrs Jordaan said she did not recognise the transactions, she received a telephone call from a person claiming to be an Absa fraud-division official who requested her assistance in cancelling the transactions. During the call she was instructed to approve electronic links sent to her cellphone.

While still on the line with the caller, a colleague informed Jordaan that several substantial transactions totalling approximately R21.55 million had been processed from the company’s account without authorisation. Jordaan then reported the matter to Absa’s fraud department and opened a criminal case with the South African Police Service in Middelburg.

Urgent legal and regulatory intervention

The matter was referred to the AFU, which launched an investigation and sought assistance from the Financial Intelligence Centre (FIC). According to the NPA, the FIC issued directives to Absa to freeze funds in nine bank accounts suspected of receiving the proceeds of the alleged fraud.

Using evidence gathered during the investigation and following the FIC’s intervention, the AFU approached the Middelburg High Court on an urgent ex parte basis and obtained a preservation of property order against the nine Absa Bank accounts on 12 June 2026. The order prevents the dissipation of the suspected proceeds while forfeiture proceedings continue.

Criminal probe and possible charges

A criminal investigation is ongoing. The NPA said suspects are expected to face charges including fraud, theft and money laundering. Nyuswa said the NPA remained committed to combating cybercrime, safeguarding victims and ensuring that proceeds of unlawful activity are preserved and ultimately forfeited in accordance with the law.