Pretoria, South Africa – A woman in Pretoria is reeling after discovering the man she believed to be her online lover, “Mark Hermanus,” is actually Gabriel Okori, a 39-year-old Nigerian national. Okori now faces charges of fraud and theft after allegedly swindling the woman out of R3 million.
The Hawks, South Africa’s Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, apprehended Okori in Cape Town on Thursday, October 3rd. Their investigation revealed the woman met Okori, who posed as a white South African named Mark Hermanus, on Facebook. They exchanged phone numbers and began communicating via WhatsApp.
According to Warrant Officer Thatohatsi Mavimbela, a Hawks spokesperson for Gauteng, Okori feigned a medical emergency for his son and repeatedly solicited funds from the woman to cover the supposed treatment. Despite his promises to repay her once the bills were settled, the woman never received a cent.
This incident highlights the growing problem of romance scams targeting South African women. Many victims, often the primary breadwinners in their families, are left financially devastated and emotionally scarred. Some, like a Gauteng mother who lost her R2.8 million pension lump sum in July, have even resorted to self-harm.
The woman in this case, whose identity is withheld for her protection, reported the scam to the Pretoria North SAPS. Similar to Nothando, a Gauteng woman who lost her pension to a supposed business venture with her online lover, the victim in this case never met Okori’s “son” despite a year-long relationship.
Okori’s first court appearance at the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court on Monday resulted in a postponement until October 14th.
