A South African woman, Jabu Nxumalo, has shared her heart-wrenching experience of being defrauded of R510,000 (about UGX 103.4M) by her Ugandan boyfriend, Joseph Ssekasi, whom she met on the dating app Tinder last year. Nxumalo was seeking a genuine and loving partner when she encountered Ssekasi, who initially presented himself as Deron Mundari from South Sudan. In an interview with IOL News, she recounted her story as part of a broader series on romance scams in South Africa.
Nxumalo described Ssekasi as a seemingly down-to-earth and respectful individual, giving no indication of his true intentions. However, their relationship took a dark turn when Ssekasi, under the guise of a spiritual and financial scheme involving “ancestors” and prayers, convinced Nxumalo to raise and hand over R500,000. This money was supposedly her contribution to the scheme, which Ssekasi matched with R700,000. The couple’s bond seemed to grow stronger until Ssekasi claimed he needed to leave for a business trip to Limpopo on May 1, 2023.
Despite continuous communication via calls and texts during his supposed trip, Nxumalo grew suspicious when her messages abruptly stopped getting through. Ignoring her intuition to check his Brakpan residence, she eventually drove there on May 11, 2023, only to find a “house to let” sign. Realizing she had been scammed, Nxumalo reported the incident to the Boksburg police station, where she received empathetic but ultimately discouraging assistance.
The experience took a severe toll on Nxumalo’s mental health, leading to a brief hospitalization for suicidal thoughts. A subsequent meeting with a detective left her feeling hopeless about the possibility of justice, as the detective admitted the difficulty in apprehending unknown perpetrators. The police’s indifferent remarks further deepened her despair.
Despite the ordeal, Nxumalo has not allowed the scam to define her life. She is now actively involved in raising awareness about the increasing prevalence of romance scams in South Africa. The South African Police Service in Gauteng has confirmed that her case remains open, pending new evidence or information on Ssekasi’s whereabouts. Lieutenant Colonel Mavela Masondo urged the public to report any sightings of Ssekasi to assist with the investigation.
Nxumalo advises women to be vigilant in romantic relationships, highlighting red flags such as an overly inquisitive partner and excessive displays of affection. She warns against trusting new partners who quickly seek financial assistance, emphasizing the importance of caution to prevent falling victim to similar scams.
