The arrests of the 38-year-old and the 39-year-old came two days after OFM News reported that the Hawks had launched a manhunt for the couple who are allegedly involved in a scam.

Free State Hawks’ spokesperson, Christopher Singo, says that in 2020, victims of the alleged scam invested money into a purportedly bogus investment scheme with the promise of receiving a high interest return after a period of 30 days.

The victims did not receive their money as promised and as a result they suffered a total loss of R600 000.

Singo says the two suspects will soon appear in court.

Also read: Free State couple on the run

A Free State fraudster was recently sentenced to 25 years imprisonment for scamming an investor out of more than R500 000. Akak Ekoto pretended to be a businessman and convinced a man to invest in his bogus chemical distribution company three years ago.

The unsuspecting investor deposited R432 000 and another amount of R98 000 into two separate accounts which were under Ekoto's name.

Also read: Free State fraudster sentenced to 25 years behind bars

Another Free State businessman who was recently in trouble with the law is the 36-year-old Moeketsi Ntshasa, who appeared in the Ladybrand Magistrate Court on several charges, including fraud and money laundering, contravening section 7 of the Financial Advisory and Intermediary Service Act, and contravention of section 11 of the Banks Act.

Also read: Bogus Free State businessman arrested, to apply for bail

Singo says that between 2018 and 2021, the victims allegedly invested their money into a company known as Integrated Investment Inn, with the promise that they will earn 10% interest within a period of thirty days. Singo says the victims did not receive their money as promised and suffered a total loss of R10 million.

OFM News