Chinese businessman faces investment scam charge

The suspect, Weng Jiajin, was before Broadhurst Magistrate Mareledi Dipate after prosecutors charged him with staggering 994 counts of obtaining by false pretences. His case can be traced to 2023’s popular ‘investment scam’ where it is alleged that he obtained by fraudulent means several sums of money from unsuspecting Batswana in an alleged pyramid scheme.

It is also alleged that acting with three other Chinese nationals, Jiajin approached a number of victims to register 200 mobile numbers and thereafter set up companies using their names. They are said to have paid these individuals P50. It is alleged that after the 'businesses' were set up, several Batswana would then be involved in the said investment scam under the pretext that they would profit. It is claimed that the ‘scammers’ would later cut communication with the victims when they started to enquire about their promised gains. The visibly shaken 43-year-old Chinese national was extradited from Tanzania following his arrest in January this year. Before his brief court appearance, Jiajin had the Sir Seretse Khama International Airport at a standstill when he appeared in shackles and under heavy escort.