R3 Million Gone: Fake Property Lawyer Leaves Victims Devastated and Armed With Anger
.png){kind=tracking}
A man who pretended to be a property professional has left a trail of financial and emotional destruction after allegedly scamming innocent homebuyers out of over R3 million in a fake property scheme that shocked even seasoned investigators.
Candid Chilwane, 58, is accused of masterminding a sophisticated real estate scam that ran from August 2023 to October 2024, targeting people looking for homes. This week, his attempt to secure bail at the South Gauteng High Court in Johannesburg failed, as the judge ruled he posed a threat to both justice and public safety.
According to court testimony, Chilwane, along with two accomplices, posed as estate agents and conveyancers — professionals who normally help manage property transfers. Victims were shown non-existent houses, told to act quickly, and lured into paying large sums of money directly into Chilwane’s account. But once payments were made, nothing ever materialised. No keys, no homes, no refunds.
The scam appeared so legitimate that many buyers didn’t suspect a thing until it was too late. Initially charged with eight counts of fraud, Chilwane now faces 20 charges, with more cases being opened in Pretoria. He allegedly accepted money under false promises of delivering legal property transfer documents, which were never processed.
As the case continues, the threat of revenge is growing. During the bail hearing, the investigating officer testified that several victims were armed and had made serious threats against Chilwane. “They said if he walks free, they will take justice into their own hands,” the officer told the court. One woman was so frightened she moved to Mpumalanga, claiming she had been followed and intimidated by people sent by the accused.
The court also heard that Chilwane tried to collect important files before he was arrested, raising fears that he could destroy evidence or intimidate witnesses if released.
Chilwane’s legal team argued that he suffers from kidney problems and claimed his health was deteriorating in custody. However, Judge Dario Dosio rejected this, saying there was no proof of hospital admission or medical urgency in his records.
In the end, the judge made it clear: “It is the applicant who must prove that the interests of justice permit his release. I am not satisfied that he has done so.” Chilwane will remain behind bars, and the case against him continues to grow.
These developments have left many South Africans more cautious about who they trust in the property space — and more alert to deals that seem too good to be true.
To stay informed about real-time crime reports and cases that matter to you, follow Daily South African Pulse.
Tags:
#CandidChilwane #PropertyScam #SouthAfricanCrime #FakeConveyancer #FraudAlert #HousingScam #DailySouthAfricanPulse
🗨️ Comment Section / Poll:
Have you or someone you know ever fallen victim to a property scam?
-
Yes, it was terrible
-
Almost, but I caught it in time
-
No, but I’m always cautious
-
This is the first I’m hearing about such scams
Share your story or advice to help others avoid falling for scams like this one.
<p style="font-size: 12px; font-style: italic;">Images used in this article are for informational and reporting purposes only. Where applicable, screenshots were taken from public livestreams or official government sources under fair use policy. Image credits belong to their respective owners. If you believe any image was used in error, please contact us for immediate removal.</p>
Additional Sources (Hyperlinked):
Credits: imzansi.com
%20%E2%80%93%20Scaled%20(95%25).png){kind=tracking}
Comments