Published: 25 October 2024, 16:54 SAST
The case against diamond dealer Louis Liebenberg, his wife Desiree, and their seven co-accused has been postponed to 31 October at the Bronkhorstspruit Magistrate’s Court, located just outside Pretoria. The suspects were arrested during a multidisciplinary operation in Gauteng and the North West earlier this week.
Liebenberg, believed to be the mastermind behind the scam, allegedly advertised unpolished diamonds on social media and lured potential investors with promises of lucrative returns that never materialized. According to a representative for the victims, some have tragically committed suicide after losing their investments, with the total amount scammed exceeding R4 billion since 2019.
During their initial court appearance, three of the nine suspects were granted bail, with amounts ranging from R20,000 to R100,000 each. The remaining six, including Liebenberg and his wife, will return to court next week, where some are expected to apply for bail.
All nine accused face serious charges, including fraud, money laundering, theft, and racketeering, with the potential for additional charges to be filed.