MBABANE – Police in Big Bend have launched a manhunt for a suspected fraudster who allegedly posed as a traditional healer and duped a grieving widower out of E25,700 in a carefully orchestrated scam.
According to information released by the police, the incident was reported on April 20 by a 49-year-old man from Nzameya, who claimed he had been defrauded over a period spanning March to April 2026.
It is alleged that the suspect initially contacted the victim through a social media platform, taking advantage of his vulnerable emotional state following the death of his wife. The purported healer allegedly convinced the man that his late spouse had left behind a lump sum of money, which could only be accessed through traditional means.
The victim was reportedly told that spiritual forces were preventing access to the alleged funds and that a cleansing ritual was required to remove these obstacles. As part of the process, the man was instructed to pay an initial E5,000 for the “cleansing of spirits.”
Police say the demands for money did not stop there. The suspect allegedly continued to request additional payments under the guise of advancing the ritual process. The victim, believing he would eventually gain access to the promised money, complied with the demands.
The situation escalated when the alleged healer reportedly began issuing threats, warning the victim that failure to complete the process would result in dire consequences, including the possible death of one of his children. Fearing for his family’s safety, the man continued to make payments until the total amount reached E25,700.
It was only after the demands persisted without any tangible results that the victim realised he had been scammed and reported the matter to the police.
Authorities have since opened a case of theft by false pretences and confirmed that investigations are ongoing. Police indicated that they are following promising leads in an effort to track down the suspect.
In light of the incident, the police have urged members of the public to exercise caution when engaging with individuals online, particularly in matters involving money. They warned that scammers often exploit emotional vulnerabilities and use intimidation tactics to manipulate victims.
The police further advised Emaswati to always verify the authenticity of individuals and services before making any financial commitments, emphasising that vigilance remains key in combating such crimes.
Anyone with information that could assist in the investigation is encouraged to report to the nearest police station.
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