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Picture courtesy- Limpopo News
Mathipa Phishego
During the year 2020, Sebasa Mogale (52) was serving as a radio presenter working at the South African Broadcasting Commission (SABC) in Limpopo at Thobela FM station. They advertised a scam called ‘Mining City’ on the radio, explaining how people get rich quickly by investing in Mining City. And the packages that the investors will be rewarded based on how much money they invested. These two suspects, Sibasa and his wife, Deborah Mogale (44), appeared at Polokwane Magistrate’s Court facing cases of fraud emanating from a Bitcoin scam.
The suspects were released on bail of R10,000 each and are scheduled to appear again on 20 May 2024. It is reported that, according to his advertisement on the radio, he mentioned that listeners should visit his office, located at number 103, Landros Mare Street in Polokwane. To attend a session where he and his two other colleagues from Mining City will be presenting a seminar about Mining City. As far as people believe a lot in mainstream media, people attended the seminar. They report that they got brochures indicating different packages. Attendees fell for the scam, believing in Mr Sebasa Mogale as a radio presenter for a reputable organisation, and that he would not deceive them.
Attendees say that they were given reference numbers to individually deposit the money into the Standard Bank account belonging to the Altcoin trader. The alleged mining scam packages varied from R6 500 to R253 000 as per a report, with estimated pay-outs. As true as it seemed, those who had money and were keen to invest with Mining City were told to deposit money in the said scam. With instructions that after making a deposit, you should go back to the office, where they created email addresses and logged details of each victim, to have access to the deposited money provided they wait six months to withdraw their benefits.
The problem unfolded when victims tried to withdraw their money. They realized that they were blocked from accessing their trading accounts. It is alleged that when they questioned Sibasa Mogale through a call, he told them the Mining City had collapsed with their investments due to the inflation rate.
The victims went to the office, unfortunately, it was closed, and the phone was on voicemail. Ten (10) case dockets were registered against Sibasa and his wife, Dorah Mogale, in May 2022. Cases were opened at Polokwane and Mokopane, South African Police Services stations, with more victims expected to open cases. Investigations are still underway, along with a court case.
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