On Monday, the Hawks nabbed six people between the ages of 31 and 47 for allegedly defrauding local banks of more than R6,6 million. Three of the suspects who have since been released on R2000 bail by the Bloemfontein Magistrate’s Court on Monday are confirmed to be members of the Crouch family.

Together, the relatives and associates are facing a whopping 121 counts of fraud, forgery, money laundering and gang-related activities. Hawks spokesperson, Katlego Mogale, says more arrests in the case are imminent because more suspects were issued with subpoenas but failed to appear in court on Monday.

Glen Ceaser, Veronica Crouch, Jolene Crouch, Chillerboy Floyd Buys, Mosa Harrington Tseleli, and Simon Cornelius Botha are alleged to have created fake payslips, applied for vehicle financing and credit via banks. Mogale says the suspects then disappeared with vehicles and money once those applications were approved. Some of the luxury vehicles allegedly amassed in these dealings include a BMW 220i, BMW 320d, BMW X-drive, two VW Golf GTIs and a Mercedes Benz coupé. The group will return to court on 2 March.

OFM News