A sophisticated online banking scam that allegedly siphoned more than R21.5m from a Mpumalanga company has prompted urgent action by the NPA’s Asset Forfeiture Unit (AFU).

A report in The Citizen notes the AFU recently secured a preservation of property order against nine bank accounts believed to have received proceeds of the alleged crime.

According to NPA regional spokesperson Monica Nyuswa, the money was fraudulently diverted from the bank account of Middelburg-based company Jormid earlier this year.

The matter was subsequently referred to the AFU, which launched an investigation and sought urgent intervention from the Financial Intelligence Centre (FIC).

According to the NPA, the FIC swiftly issued directives to Absa Bank to freeze funds held in nine bank accounts suspected of receiving the proceeds of the fraud.

‘Armed with the evidence gathered during the investigation and the FIC’s intervention, the AFU approached the Middelburg High Court on an urgent ex parte basis and successfully obtained a preservation of property order against the nine Absa Bank accounts on 12 June 2026,’ Nyuswa said.

She added that the order prevents the dissipation of the suspected proceeds of crime, valued at approximately R21.55m, while forfeiture proceedings continue in the High Court.

A criminal investigation remains underway, with suspects expected to face charges including fraud, theft and money laundering.

Full report in The Citizen