Central SA
Man sentenced for defrauding trust funds, estates of deceased─── 12:01 Tue, 12 Sep 2023
It was revealed that he sent himself, his family, and friends approximately R4.9 million from deceased estates and trust funds.
A convicted fraudster was sentenced to 15 years imprisonment – 7 of which is suspended for 5 years – for fraud, 5 years direct imprisonment for money laundering, and 2 years direct imprisonment for contravention of the Electronic Communication and Transactions Act.
Herman Daniel Badenhorst (36) was convicted in the Bloemfontein Magistrate’s Court on Friday (8/9) for fraud, money laundering, and contravention of the Electronic Communication and Transactions Act 25 of 2002.
Badenhorst worked as a clerk in numerous linked law firms in the city. His responsibilities included managing trust monies and the estates of the deceased.
It was revealed that he sent himself, his family, and friends approximately R4.9 million from deceased estates and trust funds in November 2019, when he was working for the second legal company.
It was revealed that the transfers were made between 2008 and 2018, and the Serious Commercial Crime Investigation unit based in Bloemfontein investigated the case.
