Indian-Origin Woman’s Scam Involving Fake Wedding Venues Targeting Couples
Indian-origin South African wedding scammer arrested for defrauding 17 couples
A 53-year-old Indian-origin South African woman, Prelyn Mohanlall, has been arrested for scamming 17 couples across the country by taking money from them for the same wedding venue on the same day. Mohanlall, a disbarred attorney, convinced lovestruck couples to pay large sums in advance for a venue that she had no connection to. When the couples arrived at the venue, they found it deserted, with no facilities like water or electricity, ruining their special wedding days.
Arrest and Repayment Offer
The scammer was tracked down by a private security company, Reaction Unit South Africa (RUSA), who discovered a total of 17 couples who had fallen victim to Mohanlall’s scheme. Mohanlall’s attorney, Chris Gounden, contacted RUSA with an offer to make arrangements to repay all the victims who were scammed and could provide proof of payments. This offer has raised the possibility of Mohanlall escaping jail time for fraud.
Criminal History and Denial
Mohanlall, who claimed to be a criminal attorney, has a history of scams spanning over 20 years. She was previously convicted of fraud and had been barred by the Law Society for stealing funds from a client’s Trust Fund account. Despite evidence of her fraudulent activities, Mohanlall denied running a scam and stated that her business had hit a rough patch, leading to struggles in repaying the couples who cancelled their weddings.
Impact on Victims
One of the victims shared the embarrassment and financial strain caused by Mohanlall’s scam. The man and his fiancée had to cancel their wedding and start saving from scratch to plan it again several months later. The financial loss incurred by the victims drastically impacted their wedding plans, turning what was supposed to be a dream day into a compromised event.
Conclusion
The arrest of Prelyn Mohanlall sheds light on the prevalence of wedding scams and the devastating impact they have on couples. While efforts are being made to repay the victims, the emotional and financial repercussions of the scam will likely linger for a long time. It serves as a cautionary tale for couples to thoroughly research and verify vendors before making any payments for their special day.