{"id":32180,"date":"2026-06-03T14:48:24","date_gmt":"2026-06-03T14:48:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wedodis.co.za\/news\/?p=32180"},"modified":"2026-06-03T14:48:31","modified_gmt":"2026-06-03T14:48:31","slug":"mrs-leo-found-guilty-in-r3-2-million-scam-authorities-search-for-missing-nigerian-spouse","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wedodis.co.za\/news\/mrs-leo-found-guilty-in-r3-2-million-scam-authorities-search-for-missing-nigerian-spouse\/","title":{"rendered":"Mrs. Leo Found Guilty in R3.2 Million Scam; Authorities Search for Missing Nigerian Spouse"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n

Kgalalelo Loveline Abinokhauno, known as Mrs Leo from The Real Housewives of Cape Town<\/i>, is awaiting sentencing after being convicted of fraud linked to a dating scam. This follows earlier reports of her questioning by authorities in search of her Nigerian spouse, Innocent Abinokhauno.<\/p>\n

On Monday, 1 June 2026, Mrs Leo appeared before the Cape Town Magistrate\u2019s Court for sentencing along with three others. She appeared with Nigerian nationals Uguchukwu Nawachukwu, Stanley Osakwe, and Bright Odumo Ogedengbe, all found guilty of fraud for their roles in a complex online dating scam that defrauded an American and a Canadian woman of over R3.2 million. Reports indicate her husband remains at large, wanted for charges including fraud, perjury, and identity theft.<\/p>\n

Details of the Scam<\/h2>\n

According to allegations, Mrs Leo and her co-accused enticed their victims through an online dating site, deceiving them into believing they were in contact with an American engineer on assignment in South Africa.<\/p>\n

The fabricated engineer claimed to be in crisis and requested monetary aid from the women, assuring them of repayment once his situation improved.<\/p>\n

Eric Ntabazalila, spokesperson for the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), stated that funds were sent to Okil Management, Bright Ven Trading, and to two bank accounts linked to the Glory Restoration Assembly Church, which Mrs Leo and her associates attended.<\/p>\n

\u201cAll the accused, except two, were principals and signatories on the church\u2019s bank accounts. The church was used as a front to launder money,\u201d Ntabazalila mentioned.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Nawachukwu\u2019s accounts facilitated money laundering, with a major portion eventually transferred to the church’s account, as he served as the head pastor.<\/p>\n

Upcoming Sentencing Procedures<\/h2>\n

During the court session on Monday, testimony was provided by three social workers and a probation officer who offered pre-sentencing evaluations.<\/p>\n

Two evaluations suggested alternative sentencing options, such as correctional supervision or house arrest, while one left the decision to the judge\u2019s judgment.<\/p>\n

Magistrate Sabrina Sonnenberg expressed reservations regarding the evaluations, questioning if the social workers confirmed the immigration status of the Nigerian defendants. The workers conceded they did not verify.<\/p>\n

The magistrate also highlighted that the reports seemed to presuppose the accused were still undergoing trial, even though they had already been convicted.<\/p>\n

All accused maintain their innocence despite the verdict. Sentencing proceedings are anticipated to resume on Wednesday, 3 June 2026.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n