MAN FAKES OWN DEATH, CHARGED WITH FRAUD 23 YEARS LATER

A man was charged with fraud after it was found that he faked his own death 23 years ago and was still alive.

It is believed that the couple conspired to fake Robin’s death so that Alice could receive the amount of R1.7 million paid out by Old Mutual upon his “death”. At the time, the couple lived in Boksburg, Ekuhuleni.

Robin then assumed the identity of his father-in-law, Chris Boshoff who died many years ago.

67-year-old Robin Smith and his 59-year-old wife Alice were found by the Hawks’ Serious Commercial Crime Unit and arrested in Knysna.

Hawks spokesperson, Captain Lloyd Ramovha told News24 that the couple “quietly left Gauteng to (head to) KwaZulu-Natal after receiving the windfall.

“They eventually settled in the Western Cape, (in Knysna) in the Garden Route, which is a tourist destination.”

Smith opened an auto repair shop and Alice took care of the admin.

In 2020, Old Mutual received a tip-off about the possibility that they were scammed as Smith was still alive and he faked his own death.

An internal investigation was launched and once they had enough evidence, Old Mutual approached the Hawks.

According to Ramovha, “the team tirelessly traced the couple to a hideout in Knysna, leading to their arrest on Tuesday. Upon searching their place, two unlicensed firearms were recovered. A case of unlawful possession of firearms has now been included.”

Image credit: The Inside Guide