In the messages, Swartz drones on about investments, bank errors, money transfers and hurdles, which are designed to pull the wool over investors’ eyes. The Citizen has also seen forged bank statements, one of which reflects a balance of €1 billion (about R20 billion).

Pages of false deposit slips, bank letters and other papers he allegedly used as “evidence” were also found.

Swartz is supposedly linked to another scammer who has been the focus of at least 30 criminal investigations spanning the last 30 years- the “Teflon Don”, Kobus Boshoff:

In 2008, Boshoff was accused of swindling about 12 ‘Scam artist’ on the run people out of about R41 million when he allegedly used a network of front companies and non-existent black economic empowerment deals, identity theft and fake bank guarantees of huge loans to scam victims.

Thomas said the link between Boshoff and Swartz became apparent when he investigated another of their alleged advance fee schemes.

“They have (allegedly) been running a slick advance fee scheme for years,” he said.

Someone involved in the Hawks probe said Swartz’s scam has been going on for more than a decade with some victims falling for it more than once:

“He is (allegedly) an exceptional liar, smooth as they come,” said the person.

No one has received any of the promised investments to date, while the money paid by the victims has allegedly not been used for the intended purposes.