Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

Asian arrested in South Africa for wedding scam

wedding scam

The disbarred attorney was tracked down by private security company Reaction Unit South Africa (RUSA). (Photo credit: Facebook/Reaction Unit South Africa))

A 53-YEAR-OLD South African of Asian origin has been arrested for allegedly scamming 17 couples by taking money from them for the same wedding venue on the same day.

The disbarred attorney was tracked down by private security company Reaction Unit South Africa (RUSA).


Despite her arrest, promises from her attorney and family to repay the victims could help her avoid serving jail time for fraud.

RUSA identified the woman as Prelyn Mohanlall after her attorney, Chris Gounden, contacted them, offering to arrange repayments for victims who could provide proof of payments.

According to RUSA, Mohanlall allegedly convinced couples to pay significant amounts in advance for a venue she had no affiliation with. When the couples arrived, they reportedly found the venue deserted, without water or electricity, ruining their wedding plans.

One of the victims, who wished to remain anonymous, approached RUSA in December last year to track down Mohanlall. Through social media, the company discovered 17 couples who had been scammed in this way.

“Complainants were from several provinces in South Africa. A detective from SAPS Boksburg North (in Gauteng province) informed us that the same suspect was wanted for two fraud cases in Gauteng in 2024. She had defrauded a car dealership of R200,000 and a couple for R26,000,” said Prem Balram, Head of RUSA.

RUSA revealed that Mohanlall claimed to be a former criminal attorney barred by the Law Society after misusing funds from a client’s trust account. “It was later established that the suspect has a criminal record and a history of scams spanning over 20 years,” Balram added.

Mohanlall denied running a scam, telling a local newspaper that her business faced financial difficulties. “It’s not a scam, and I am not a scammer. Late last year, I had nine cancellations and informed each couple they would get a refund. But I could not repay them on time because my partners pulled out in October,” she said.

She claimed to owe nine couples about R60,000 and insisted she planned to repay every cent.

A man who fell victim to the alleged scam shared the emotional and financial toll it took on him and his fiancée. “What she ‘stole’ from us drastically impacted our planning. What we hoped to be our dream day has now become an event where we have to settle for what we can afford,” he said.

(With inputs from PTI)

More For You

uk-railways-iStock

The package includes £415 million to upgrade the rail line between Manchester, Huddersfield, Leeds, and York, a route affected by delays and disruptions. (Representational image: iStock)

iStock

Government announces £1.7 bn transport investment for the North

THE GOVERNMENT has announced a £1.7 billion investment to improve transport infrastructure across the North, focusing on buses, roads, and rail.

The funding aims to upgrade key routes and improve connectivity across the region.

Keep ReadingShow less
 20 Years of ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ – A TV Legacy That Lives On

20 years of love, loss, and unforgettable moments—Grey’s Anatomy continues to define TV drama

Pinterest

20 years of 'Grey’s Anatomy': The show that became a lifeline

For someone who has always craved fast-paced crime shows, I never thought I’d care about a hospital drama. The scrubs, the medical jargon, the beeping monitors, it all felt distant, clinical. But life breaks you open when you least expect it. I started Grey’s Anatomy on a night when my own grief was too loud. I needed noise to fill the silence. Then Meredith Grey’s voice cut through:

“So, do it. Decide.
Is this the life you want to live?
Is this the person you want to love?
Is this the best you can be?
Can you be stronger? Kinder?
More compassionate? Decide.

Keep ReadingShow less
IPL 2025 – GT vs MI: Who Will Secure Their First Win

Both teams eager to secure their maiden win of IPL 2025

Getty

IPL 2025 - GT vs MI: Gujarat Titans and Mumbai Indians aim for first win

The ninth match of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 will take place on March 29 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, featuring a highly anticipated clash between Gujarat Titans (GT) and Mumbai Indians (MI). Both teams will be keen to register their first win of the season after disappointing starts in their respective opening matches. This game is expected to be a closely fought contest, with each side eager to make an early impact in the tournament.

Gujarat Titans: Seeking redemption after high-scoring defeat

Gujarat Titans, led by Shubman Gill, began their IPL 2025 campaign with a high-scoring encounter against the Punjab Kings, but unfortunately ended up on the losing side. Despite some positive individual performances, the team was unable to secure a victory, and they will be keen to turn things around against MI.

Keep ReadingShow less
Why Do Muslims Celebrate Eid al-Fitr on Different Days? 3 Key Reasons

Some may celebrate on one day, while others may observe it the next

iStock

3 reasons why Muslims across the globe celebrate Eid al-Fitr on different days

Eid is one of the most joyous and important festivals in Islam, celebrated twice a year by Muslims worldwide. However, it’s common to see variations in the exact day of celebration, even within the same country. Some may celebrate on one day, while others may observe it the next. This divergence can sometimes confuse people outside the Muslim community and even among Muslims themselves. But the reasons for this variation are rooted in Islamic traditions and differing interpretations of how to determine the Islamic calendar.

Here are the three main reasons why Muslims don’t always celebrate Eid on the same day:

Keep ReadingShow less
Keir-Starmer-Getty

Keir Starmer’s communications chief has resigned after nine months in Downing Street. (Photo: Getty Images)

Getty Images

Starmer’s communications chief Matthew Doyle resigns after nine months

KEIR STARMER’s communications chief, Matthew Doyle, has resigned after nine months in Downing Street. Doyle, a Labour veteran who previously worked for Tony Blair, joined Starmer’s team as communications director four years ago when the party was in opposition.

His departure follows that of Sue Gray, Starmer’s former chief of staff, who left in the autumn. Doyle’s exit is expected to lead to the promotions of James Lyons to director of communications (strategy) and Steph Driver to director of communications (delivery), according to the BBC.

Keep ReadingShow less