Pretoria – South African Businessman 62-year-old Christopher David Kimber handed himself over to the Hawks after he was accused of defrauding his UK counterpart out of R147 million.
The Hawks’ Serious Economic Offences Unit arrested Kimber on Wednesday when he handed himself over in Kimberley, Northern Cape.
Kimber was charged with two counts of fraud, two counts of money laundering before he was taken to court.
Captain Bonnie Nxumalo, the spokesperson for the Hawks in Gauteng, said the accused appeared in the Kimberley Magistrate’s Court and was released on R100 000 bail.
“It is alleged that in 2013, Kimber who owns mines in the Northern Cape met with the businessman from the United Kingdom over an investment of buying 50% shares of his businesses,” said Captain Nxumalo.
“The businessman reportedly paid R147 million into Kimber’s bank account but the money was transferred into personal bank accounts, thus no investment was made.
“When the businessman realised that no investment has been made, he reported the matter to the police.”
The Hawks conducted an investigation which led to Kimber’s arrest.
The fraud accused will return to court on 17 August 2023.
