GEORGE NEWS - Six fraud cases have been opened by Georgians alleging that their millions of rands of investment money went missing. This unfolding financial scandal comes in the wake of the disappearance of a prominent local businesswoman.
According to information received, several cases have also been reported in Gauteng and Cape Town. It is believed that these cases will be centralised to George.
The person of interest at the centre of all these cases, Bonny Brink-Lawrence (63) from Pacaltsdorp, was reported missing by her husband, Quentin, last Monday, after she failed to meet him at the Home Affairs office in York Street.
Yesterday, Quentin told George Herald that he is aware of the fraud cases and the allegations against his wife and that the law has to take its course.
Asked if his wife was aware of the allegations since the first case was opened on 23 December 2023, Quentin said it is more than likely that she was aware of the fraud allegations against her at the time of her disappearance.
“Clients have been messaging her with complaints since last year. I assume she knew, as she told me that some of the clients threatened to go to the police.”
Within minutes of George Herald’s Facebook appeal for help to find her, the newspaper received calls from irate individuals who have invested money through Lawrence’s company, BBL Global Corporation. All the money was supposed to be invested offshore.
‘Sold herself well’
One of the investors told George Herald she met Brink-Lawrence three years ago while on vacation in Cape Town. They became friends and shared personal information, and Brink-Lawrence told her that her company does offshore investments and that her clients see great returns.
“She was always very professional and sold herself so well. She came across as a competent, honest and very intelligent businesswoman who wanted to empower people,” the investor said. “After I paid my money over for her to invest, I saw good, actually great, returns for almost two years. In August last year [2023], the payments stopped and from there it was just excuse after excuse.”
The single mother, who finds herself in financial trouble, says it now seems she was deceived by someone whom she saw as a friend.
“I have to pay my bond, and I can’t. I’ve found out that the money we paid her to invest, went into her personal account. I don’t know if any of it was ever invested offshore. I also understand that what we thought were direct enquiries about our returns to some of the companies where our money was supposed to be invested, were actually to e-mails created by Brink-Lawrence herself.”
All the investors’ stories are similar. It tells the story of a charming person who befriended them, gained their trust, and convinced them to invest their money offshore through her company - someone who infiltrated a certain circle of friends, all of who are successful in their own right. She would wine and dine her clients while slowly reeling them in.
Impressive bio
The investors say Brink-Lawrence sold herself as a businesswoman with 35 years’ involvement in various business entities, both local and international. She has owned a global business development company for 17 years, has a clinical psychology background, studied global business science and financial market trends and is a business communications and public relations specialist.
According to her bio she is also an advisory global investment consultant/analyst, International Coaches Federation (ICF) certified life/executive coach, community builder focusing on women’s life enrichment, entrepreneurial development and youth development, and an inspirational/business presenter and author.
Southern Cape police spokesperson Sgt Chris Spies confirmed that Garden Route District detectives are investigating six cases of fraud. From 23 December 2023 to date, five cases were reported at the Pacaltsdorp police station and one at Conville.
“The investigation into these matters is still ongoing and of a sensitive nature. No further information pertaining to the ongoing investigation can be divulged at this stage,” said Spies.
As far as could be determined, no warrant of arrest has been issued in connection with the fraud cases.
Several attempts by George Herald to contact Brink-Lawrence were unsuccessful.
Missing person case
In the meantime, Pacaltsdorp detectives are continuing their investigation into the circumstances surrounding the disappearance of Brink-Lawrence.
“It is alleged that the she travelled with a Bolt vehicle to the central business district on 15 January and was dropped in the parking area of a medical facility near York Street, George. The woman never returned home and was subsequently reported as missing by her husband,” Spies said.
The driver of the vehicle was tracked down and has already been interviewed.
Spies asks that anyone with information about the whereabouts of Brink-Lawrence comes forward.
Contact the investigation officer, Warrant Officer William van Schalkwyk, on 044 803 9100 or 079 894 1589. All information will be treated with strict confidentiality.
Related article: Help find missing Pacaltsdorp woman
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