After scamming his elderly lover of R2 million rand, Roland Enuwese Esosa, also known as Larry Cole on Tinder, was taken into custody.
The 30-year-old Nigerian man was discovered last Wednesday in Roodepoort, Gauteng, according to the Weekend Argus. On Monday, July 25, he made an appearance at the Stellenbosch Magistrate’s Court in the Western Cape.
Esosa purported to be an American engineer called Larry Cole, according to the publication. He seduced his victim by becoming romantically involved with her before telling her he needed money.
John Alexander, the head investigator of Royal Investigations, claims that Esosa is a part of a criminal organisation that preys on weak, lonely women.
The “Black Axe” group, also known as the “Neo Black Movement of Africa,” is said to be based in Johannesburg and engages in romantic swindle, commonly known as 419 scams. Esosa is thought to be the organization’s brains behind the Tinder swindle.
“They live a lavish lifestyle with proceeds of crime, and they have never worked an honest day in their life.”
Esosa is accused of engaging in money laundering and fraud. His hearing has been postponed until next week, when he will apply for bail.
“Our investigation led us to Northgate Mall in Roodepoort, Gauteng where we arrested Esosa. The Stellenbosch Detectives played a pivotal role, especially Captain Bernard Adams and Sergeant Allister Marajh. Immediately after the suspect was arrested he attempted to bribe the arresting officers with R500 000.00 for his release,” Alexander explained.
Additionally, the Tinder swindler made an attempt to bribe the officials once more, this time using a BMW sports car.
“Unfortunately for him we still have honourable police officials who cannot be bribed,” Alexander added.
Since the notorious Israeli conman Simon Leviev, who gained headlines in February 2022 following the release of the popular Netflix documentary The Tinder Swindler, Esosa is not the first Tinder Swindler in South Africa.
Amon “Amoleno” Namara, a Ugandan man who has been referred to as “South Africa’s very own Tinder Swindler,” has made many court appearances this year on charges of fraud and money laundering.