IRS Forensic Investigations

Hundreds of residents in the Garden Route towns of Knysna and Mossel Bay in the Western Cape have been duped out of their life savings and pensions in an alleged cryptocurrency investment scam. The victims could have lost as much as R5 million. Criminal cases have been opened against the alleged fraudsters, who have since fled the area. A private investigating company found that they operated in the Eastern Cape before making their way to the Garden Route.

Chad Thomas, a security analyst from IRS Forensic Investigations, said South Africans should brace themselves for an increase in crime during load shedding. Thomas’s warning comes after Eskom announced a continuation of level 2 load shedding for the rest of the week.

According to Thomas contact crimes always increase during times of a big power outage. These crimes include theft out of cars during traffic congestion due to traffic lights not operational. Rape, assault and robbery are also significantly higher during load shedding.

“People living and working in high density areas tend to be the victims of these type of contact crimes,” Thomas said.

In suburban areas people should be on the lookout for house robbers, especially after a long period of power outage. Thomas said load shedding is putting a huge strain on the batteries of alarm systems, electronic gates and electric fencing, especially when it occurs two to three times a day. The battery will deteriorate quicker than normal.

“This gives criminals the perfect opportunity to rob a house, knowing they won’t be bothered by a security company due to an alarm that went off.” Thomas said.

Thomas said to Izak du Plessis there are various steps people can take to reduce the risk of becoming a victim during load shedding. Watch the interview to find out how you can safeguard yourself.

Chad Thomas, CEO of IRS Forensic investigations speaks to Xoli Mngambi about Shepherd Bushiri fleeing South Africa ahead of his fraud trial.

It’s estimated that a master conman and his accomplices may have conned as much as R500-million out of over 300 victims in what’s been described as one of the biggest litigation funding schemes ever, in South Africa. And from being bullied at high school to being a charismatic daredevil behind the wheel of her pink BMW, Stacey Lee May has wormed her way into the hearts of the South African motorsport fraternity.

We investigate criminology in this episode of 48hours. Thaloki is interested in a career in Forensic Fraud. 48 Hours introduces her to forensic investigator Lauren who shows her how to put a case file together. Entrepreneur Chad shows her the opportunities available in forensic fraud.

Great episode of 48 hours on SABC TV, first featuring an IRS employee mentoring a prospective investigator, and then an IRS director explains the role of the private investigation industry.

Checkpoint investigates a company named Labour law services. It has employees believing that it can help them get payment from employers after unfair dismissal.​

On Devi tonight, a career conman (Johnny van Eeden) is out on bail and at it again, and the woman who turned the love of pink into a lifestyle.

Enticed by the belief they could make easy money, the people featured in this investigation learned a hard and expensive lesson.

We all know enough not to fall for an email scam, right? But what if the scamsters have become so sophisticated, they use multiple tactics to create a layered con? And She’s got great hair, a great smile and tons of jokes. Comedian, Lindy Johnson has enjoyed a meteoric rise in the competitive comedy scene. In a few short years, she’s gone from participating in a university talent show to being tapped by Trevor Noah. But, despite her confidence, it hasn’t always been easy, and while Covid-19 has brought a new challenge, this young lady isn’t about to lose her sense of humour.

The illicit trade in tobacco, especially cigarettes, costs South Africa's economy billions of rands annually through the loss of tax revenue. According to the South African Revenue Service (SARS), the estimated loss through the illegal cigarette trade for the 2015/16 financial year was R6 billion.

And it seems, the illegal cigarette trade will thrive due to the ban on legal sales in the country.

The continued ban forms part of the state's regulations governing the Covid-19 lockdown and has been in place since March 27.

Chad Thomas, CEO at IRS Forensic Investigations joins me now.