GAUTENG – A 54-year-old man appeared in the Alexandra Regional Court today charged with fraud and extortion involving online dating scam allegations.

The accused’s apprehension was effected on Saturday, 14 May 2022 by the Hawks after he was positively identified as a wanted suspect by authorities at OR Tambo International Airport departing to Kinshasa, in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) for leisure.

It was reported that in March 2020, Chinedu Jonathan Madueke introduced himself to the complainant on an online dating site as a female model from Italy named “Ruth”.

The two seemingly hit it off and started dating which resulted in an exchange of nude videos.

A few months later, the complainant alleged that Madueke demanded an enticement of approximately USD 500 000 from him to avoid his nude video from being leaked on social media.

The matter was reported to the Serious Commercial Crime Investigation in Johannesburg for investigation. A warrant of arrest was issued for Madueke’s apprehension and authorities circulated him on the local and international boarder movement control system.

Madueke’s attempt to flee the country failed on Saturday subsequent to the system that alerted authorities of his outstanding warrant of arrest. He was immediately detained to account for the alleged online dating scam which happened about two years ago.

During his first court appearance, he was remanded in custody pending investigation. The case was postponed to Monday, 23 May 2022 for verification of his legal status in the country.

Source: South African Police Service