Article updated on 24 January 2026, due to an error from the Amajuba SAPS Communications Department. See update below.
A father-and-son duo, 73-year-old Gerhard Wilhelm Liebenberg and his 40-year-old son, Christiaan Jacobus Liebenberg, are scheduled to face charges in the Newcastle Regional Court this coming week. This follows their arrest for orchestrating a fraudulent investment scheme that defrauded 45 unsuspecting investors of more than R30 million.
As confirmed byNewcastle SAPS spokesperson Lizzy Arumugam, the pair were apprehended on 6 January 2025, following an investigation by the private firm Royal Investigations, which uncovered a web of investment-related fraud and online scams.
These operated through entities such as Delos Management and Villion Trading.
Delving deeper into the matter, Royal Investigations stated, “Our investigation established that these schemes were advertised primarily via Facebook, where the suspects unlawfully utilised the names and images of well-known public figures, including Elon Musk, Dr Corné Mulder, and Mr Johann Rupert, to lend false credibility to the fraudulent investments.”
Furthermore, throughout the inquiry, Royal Investigations detailed that 45 victims had been confirmed, suffering verified losses totalling R31,543,114.00 between 2022 and 2024.
In addition, the private investigating company highlighted evidence pointing to three more suspects, who have been identified and are anticipated to be arrested shortly. Building on these findings, Royal Investigators added, “The investigation reveals that this was a highly sophisticated and organised scam, which deliberately targeted elderly and vulnerable individuals.”
Thereafter, the accused were initially refused bail, prompting a follow-up application based on purported new evidence. The decision on this bail bid was due last week, leaving the men in custody. With this in mind, Arumugam noted that further investigations into the matter are still underway, with Amajuba District SAP spokesperson, Constable Nonjabulo Langa, adding, “The case has been remanded for 29 January 2026 at the Newcastle Regional Court.
Update: Newcastle Father and Son Face Charges Over R30m Investment Scam
After seeking confirmation from Amajuba SAPS District Communications spokesperson, Constable Nonjabulo Langa, on the arrest of Gerhard and Christiaan Liebenberg, it was found that the spokesperson had not confirmed all the necessary details.
As per Newcastle Detectives, the father and son are not from Newcastle, but rather from Randburg. While Royal Investigations played a key role in the investigations, Newcastle Detectives, Colonel Oberholzer, Warrant Officer de Meyer, and Sergeant Mhlotshwa have been tracking the two men since 2022, after they scammed a number of Newcastle residents out of cash amounting to an estimated R8 million.
Furthermore, the men were apprehended at the end of 2025, with the bail application continuing to the point where they were denied, and the case was then remanded to 29 January 2026. Additionally, the Ranburg SAPS apprehended the men, before handing them over to Newcastle Detectives, Colonel Oberholzer, Warrant Officer de Meyer, and Sergeant Mhlotshwa.
Additionally, the men’s crimes spanned across multiple provinces, according to the Newcastle Detective, from KwaZulu-Natal, Gauteng, to the Cape.
This Newcastle investment fraud case exemplifies the growing prevalence of online investment scams and social media fraud in South Africa, where fraudsters increasingly exploit platforms like Facebook through fake celebrity endorsements and impersonation tactics.
According to the South African Banking Risk Information Centre (SABRIC) 2024 Annual Crime Statistics, overall banking-related crime losses declined by 18% to R2.7 billion in 2024 from R3.3 billion in 2023, owing to improved preventative measures by financial institutions.
However, digital banking fraud remained the dominant channel, comprising a significant portion of reported incidents. In contrast, certain fraud categories—such as online scams—nearly doubled in volume, rising from approximately 31,612 cases in 2023 to 64,000 in 2024, with losses exceeding R1.4 billion. SABRIC has further cautioned against the growing use of artificial intelligence in perpetrating sophisticated scams.
Concurrently, the Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA) issued multiple public warnings in 2025 about unauthorised investment schemes and cryptocurrency-related fraud promoted via social media, WhatsApp, and Telegram, often involving impersonation of legitimate entities and promises of unrealistic returns.
The FSCA emphasises: “The public is strongly urged to exercise caution when considering unsolicited investment or trading offers, especially those communicated through social media platforms,” and advises verifying all financial service providers through official registers to mitigate risk.
As this case progresses through the courts, it serves as a reminder of the persistent threat posed by organised investment fraud in South Africa. Authorities continue to prioritise the pursuit of additional suspects and the recovery of assets, underscoring the importance of coordinated efforts between law enforcement, private investigators, and regulatory bodies to dismantle such networks.
Ultimately, the responsibility also lies with potential investors to remain vigilant. By heeding official warnings and conducting thorough due diligence, individuals can play a crucial role in disrupting the cycle of social media-driven scams and protecting vulnerable communities from financial exploitation.
What are your thoughts on this? Let us know below.
Do not forget to read, Why Practical Bakkies Continue to Dominate Northern KwaZulu-Natal Work Environments, if you missed it.
The accused, a father-and-son duo from Newcastle, are facing charges linked to an alleged fraudulent investment scheme. These include fraud and related offences arising from the solicitation of funds from multiple investors under false pretences. The matter is currently before the Newcastle Regional Court.
Investigations have confirmed at least 45 victims who reportedly suffered combined financial losses exceeding R31 million between 2022 and 2024. These losses are linked to multiple investment platforms allegedly operated by the accused.
According to investigators, the schemes were primarily advertised on social media platforms such as Facebook. The promotions allegedly made use of unauthorised images and names of well-known public figures to create a false sense of legitimacy and credibility.
Yes. Investigators have indicated that evidence points to additional suspects who have already been identified. Further arrests are anticipated as investigations continue.
South African authorities and financial regulators have repeatedly warned the public about unauthorised investment schemes promoted via social media, messaging apps, and online platforms. The public is advised to verify all investment opportunities through official regulatory channels and to be cautious of unsolicited offers promising unrealistic returns.
3 Responses
I’m one of the people who was scammed more than R50000 by these people.
That is terrible!
This is an ongoing thing as there is another one who is on Facebook using Connie Fergusons pics and she’s claiming to be her😏