3 tanzanite syndicate suspects nabbed in Durban
An investigator who has been tracking a tanzanite fraud syndicate that has been running for more than a decade, has hailed the arrest of three suspects in Durban yesterday, as a major breakthrough.
The trio, aged between 31 and 44 were nabbed by police on Durban's south beach yesterday for dealing in tanzanite stone with a street value of R150 000.
They are allegedly involved in a scam where they sell coloured glass passing it off as uncut tanzanite gems and making millions in the process.
Private Investigator Shaun Pearce says this is but one of a number of similar groups.
"This is an ongoing investigation. There's a couple of groups that are running around. We've got one group. So, this is just the beginning.
"There's millions and millions of rands involved here and this has been going on for over ten years with all the different groups. People need to know about so we can put an end to it," he said
The suspects will appear in court soon.
(File photo)