Latest news with #MarkKretzschmar
News24
13-06-2025
- News24
News24 uncovers disinformation network; Top cop arrested: Today's 7 stories in 7 minutes
News24 brings you the top 7 stories of the day. Graphic: Sharlene Rood/News24 News24 brings you the top stories of the day, summarised into neat little packages. Read through quickly or listen to the articles via our customised text-to-speech feature. Supplied by source Luxury bakkies and fancy watches: Hawks now after financial advisor Mark Kretzschmar - Financial broker Mark Kretzschmar is being investigated by the Hawks for allegedly defrauding a Limpopo businessman of R1.5 million, part of over R30 million he allegedly took from multiple clients. - Kretzschmar gained investors' trust by displaying a lavish lifestyle and promising high returns, but then allegedly provided irregular statements, became difficult to contact, and ultimately vanished. - The FSCA is also investigating Kretzschmar, and Freedom Capital, where he was a representative, claims he acted 'rogue' and misused their financial service provider number. Philani Lushaba/Linkedin Crime Intelligence CFO, co-accused granted bail in sex worker burglary cover-up - A senior Crime Intelligence officer, Major General Philani Lushaba, and three other police officers were arrested for allegedly covering up the theft of Lushaba's laptop, cellphone, and firearm by a sex worker. - The officers face charges including corruption, defeating the ends of justice, and perjury, with the case highlighting ongoing turmoil and power struggles within Crime Intelligence. - Lushaba is also under scrutiny for allegedly using Crime Intelligence's Secret Service Account to purchase properties worth millions of rands, raising questions about corruption and maladministration within the division. 'They came to kill all of us': Naudé's co-accused tells how he survived AK-47 gunfire - Andre Naudé was fatally shot in Parow, Cape Town, while with Sam Farquharson and a 'client,' who was also injured. - Farquharson, who survived the attack, claims they were checking on construction work and denies any involvement in 'gangster shit'. - Police are investigating the murder and attempted murder, with alleged Sexy Boys boss Jerome 'Donkie' Booysen also present at the scene. X/@MkhontoweSizwex ATM NEC members eye Parliament as part of MK Party partnership deal - ATM NEC members are reportedly slated to fill MK Party's parliamentary vacancies, strengthening the Zuma-Nongqunga alliance. - Vuyo Zungula's removal as ATM president is linked to differing views on merging with the MK Party, though ATM denies this was the reason. - ATM spokesperson denies any NEC directive to fill MK Party roles, emphasising that cooperation between the parties is still in a developmental stage. Web of deceit: How we traced India's 'Raju Singh' behind SA's viral fake news sites - News24 uncovered a disinformation network, headed by Raju 'Raj' Singh in India, which spreads false stories in South Africa, India, Wales, and the US. - The network uses fake news websites resembling local news outlets to publish fabricated stories on various topics, aiming to attract traffic and generate revenue through ads or affiliate links. - By tracing digital clues like Google Analytics codes and profile picture metadata, News24 identified Singh and his digital marketing business, revealing a profit-driven motive behind the disinformation campaign. Supplied/Paul Henman Comrades Marathon Association condemns abuse directed at Israeli runners - The Comrades Marathon Association (CMA) condemned the abuse directed at Israeli athletes during the race. - The CMA emphasised its political neutrality and stated the race should unite people, not be a platform for discrimination. - A video surfaced showing pro-Palestine protesters verbally abusing Israeli athletes along the marathon route. - The premiere of Shaka iLembe season 2 celebrated African royalty with a golden carpet event at Montecasino, featuring stars in regal attire. - Highlights included Zulu song and dance performances, stunning fashion creations like actress Nomzamo Mbatha's beaded dress, and an exclusive screening of the season's first episode. - Attendees included stars like Lemohang Tsipa, Dawn Thandeka King, and King Misuzulu KaZwelithini, all showcasing diverse South African cultures through their outfits.
Daily Maverick
09-06-2025
- Business
- Daily Maverick
After the Bell: Scamming is a big business — be alert and make sure you're safe
The world is awash with people trying to steal your assets. Even big-name investors have been duped. Be careful out there. I am sure that whatever money you have wasn't easy to get – you and your family worked really hard for it. But have you ever noticed how so many people are trying to steal it from you? There are some days when it seems that literally everyone is out to take it. So often, there is a news report of someone who has fleeced people of their money. The latest was a News 24 report about Mark Kretzschmar, who claimed he could make money for people and who was able to run away with about R30-million. Moneyweb has done important reporting about the company Kleuterzone and its founder, former singer Anthonie Bougas. He now appears to be in Thailand, but is not paying the money owed to investors. Like so many of these cases, he makes certain claims that always amount to the same thing: someone else is responsible, not him. If you have been paying attention to this sort of thing, you will know about Banxso, which was a scam from the start. There are so many ways our society enables this. For a start, regulators find it tough to take any action, or to do it early enough to stop people from losing their money. I have some sympathy for the Financial Sector Conduct Authority here. I mean, no one will complain about losing their money until they've lost it. And by that point, it is usually too late. This means that in some cases, a group of people are giving money to someone, all at the same time, and it's only when one of them realises it's gone that they lodge a complaint. There would have to be an investigation of some kind, and only after that can the FSCA say anything. But I have no time at all for the digital platforms that allow themselves to be used to market these thieves. For several months, there were videos on YouTube of SABC TV presenters supposedly talking about a new investment product. Elon Musk was another who was deep-faked. Now, YouTube e arns more than $30-billion in revenue every year. Is it too much to ask that it does some checking to see if it is taking money from a thief? And to have a proper complaints mechanism where a TV presenter who is being deep-faked can make sure her image is removed immediately? I do wonder how much revenue for YouTube is from simple scams, whether it be a lose-your-money-quick scheme, or that guy who clearly can't sleep at night because he's so worried about my belly fat. If this has happened to you, you shouldn't think it was because you were stupid. Recently, big-name investors, including Sanlam Investments and Old Mutual Alternative Investments, lost up to R700-million after being conned by a company called Enable Capital. The Public Investment Corporation lost another R100-million in the same scam. The person behind it, Reuben Oliphant, seems to have… you guessed it… disappeared. And sometimes, someone appears to have almost found a way to scam someone out of their money legally. Last week, the JSE publicly censured Iqbal Surve's AYO Technology Solutions and issued a suspended fine of R500,000. This was because AYO had withheld information from shareholders about its settlement with the PIC that involved it re-purchasing some of its shares. But it seems the people, sorry person, behind AYO will get away with it. Much of the money the PIC put into AYO through its investment was taken out in the form of dividends. Dividends that make no sense compared with what the company has actually produced. As a result, the money is gone. The PIC will never get it back and someone has clearly benefited. The real poison of this kind of thing is that it makes the scheme look almost legitimate. In a society where so few understand how markets, capital and investments work, it's easy to simply think people are rich because they were born rich – or because they stole their money from someone else. This kind of incident, where someone can literally lie to shareholders (thus possibly depriving them of money) and get away with it, will consolidate that view. Scamming is now big business. In Myanmar alone, there are thought to be around 150,000 people being held against their will in what amounts to prison camps, and forced to try to scam people online. Just think about that number for a moment. It is simply unbelievable how big this industry has become. To run prison camps for that many people requires capital. They wouldn't do it if they weren't making serious cash out of it. Can you imagine the nightmare of being a person who has been, you guessed it, scammed into going there, and finding themselves in one of these camps? I'm not qualified to tell you how to keep your money safe. But please. Please, please, please, make sure that you do. DM
News24
09-06-2025
- Business
- News24
The Lead: Meet the Jozi broker who disappeared with millions from friends, family, clients
A 'smooth talker' who plied clients with fantastic food and drink, convincing many into handing over their precious millions, only to evade questions when it was time to cough up. This is how numerous clients described the elusive Johannesburg investment broker, Mark Kretzschmar, to News24. Tonight in The Lead, News24 Business journalist Jan Cronjé tells us how Kretzschmar allegedly duped investors, including family friends and discusses the litany of charges he faces. Later in the show, we look at the possibility of Helen Zille standing for Joburg mayor. Finally, a missing Comrades Marathon finisher was found in critical condition on a construction site, kilometres from the finish line. Listen on YouTube: Listen on Apple Podcasts:
News24
09-06-2025
- News24
Missing Comrades runner found; Father's prayers after son killed: Today's top 7 stories
News24 brings you the top 7 stories of the day. Graphic: Sharlene Rood/News24 News24 brings you the top stories of the day, summarised into neat little packages. Read through quickly or listen to the articles via our customised text-to-speech feature. ALS Paramedics/Supplied Comrades runner found disorientated and hypothermic by construction workers - Comrades Marathon runner Moira Harding, who went missing after the race, was found in a hypothermic state near the NSRI base in Durban. - Construction workers discovered Harding and alerted NSRI staff, who provided initial first aid before emergency services transported her to Umhlanga Netcare Hospital. - Police are investigating the circumstances of her disappearance, and Harding's daughter has confirmed she was found. Marvin Charles/News Cape Town mayor takes Ramaphosa to highest court over procurement law - Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis is challenging the Public Procurement Act in the Constitutional Court, citing procedural flaws in its passage through Parliament. - The City argues the Act will slow down procurement, allow undue interference in municipal processes, and negatively impact service delivery. - The legal challenge highlights concerns about public participation, provincial mandates, and the potential for a centralised system to disrupt local autonomy. Supplied by source Broker vanishes with over R30m of single parents, friends, relatives' money - Johannesburg investment broker Mark Kretzschmar is being investigated for allegedly defrauding clients of over R30 million, including widows, single parents and relatives. - Kretzschmar gained clients' trust by portraying wealth and success, hosting lavish events, before allegedly disappearing with their investments. - The FSCA is investigating, and police cases have been opened, while victims share stories of devastating financial losses and broken trust. God, please bring him back, father prayed after 12-year-old driver allegedly kills son - 14-year-old Malcolm Booysen was killed in Brakpan after being hit by a car allegedly driven by a 12-year-old boy who skipped a stop sign. - Malcolm's family remembers him as a responsible, friendly, and ambitious boy who dreamed of becoming a pastor. - A case of culpable homicide has been opened, and the 12-year-old was expected to appear in court. 733 000-card backlog as SA's sole driving licence printing machine breaks down - again - South Africa's only driver's licence printing machine has been down for 38 days since April, resulting in a backlog of 733 000 cards as of 15 May 2025. - Over R11.5 million has been spent on repairs since 2022/23, with overtime payments totaling R4.4 million over three years due to machine downtime. - Transport Minister Barbara Creecy is seeking a court order regarding the tender for a new machine after the Auditor-General found irregularities in the procurement process. (Darren Stewart/Gallo Images) 'Flying Dutchman' Wiersma reveals Comrades food poisoning struggles, applauds Dijana - Piet Wiersma, despite peak training, faced illness during Comrades 2025, impacting his performance. - Wiersma acknowledged Tete Dijana's dominance and committed to returning stronger in future races. - The growing rivalry between Wiersma and Dijana adds excitement to the Comrades Marathon. Supplied 'Very intriguing': Suidooster's Irvine van der Merwe on playing a charming baddie - Irvine van der Merwe discusses his role as Nazeem in Suidooster, who experiences a stroke after donating part of his liver to Bridgette. - Van der Merwe says Nazeem's motivations were a mix of brotherly love and wanting to be accepted by the Jacobs family, as well as gaining company shares. - Despite being a villain, Van der Merwe sees Nazeem as a caring and loyal person, and enjoys the challenge of portraying a character with conflicting morals.
