Middelburg – Aletta Caroline Scrooby pleaded guilty to fraud involving more than R1.7 million and was sentenced by the Middelburg Specialised Commercial Crimes Court in Mpumalanga to six years in prison.
However, Scrooby’s sentence was wholly suspended for five years on condition.
The court heard that in April 2018, 52-year-old Scrooby visited Scania company in Middelburg.
Scrooby claimed that she was the owner of Phakamisa Logistics, which had been awarded a transport contract in one of the mines.
She requested a cost quotation for 90 G460 Scania trucks.
The accused then sent fraudulent proof of payment to Scania with an amount of R1 724 885.
However, it was discovered that the accused used a VAT registration number for a known client of Scania and the money she claimed to have paid in their account was not showing.
The matter was reported to the Hawks Middelburg-based Serious Commercial Crime Investigation for further investigation.
During the investigation, the accused was linked to the fraud.
The investigation was finalised and the matter was brought before Court.
The accused was arrested and released on bail.
Scrooby attended court on several occasions and after the investigation was concluded she pleaded guilty.
On Thursday Scrooby was sentenced to six years imprisonment wholly suspended for five years on the condition that the accused is not convicted of fraud or a competent verdict on the charge of fraud which is committed during the period of suspension.
“Acting Provincial Head of the Hawks, Brigadier Gregory Gaillard applauded the investigating team and prosecution authority for ensuring that justice prevails,” said Hawks’ spokesperson in Mpumalanga, Captain Dineo Lucy Sekgotodi.
