Fallen Rose: Blind-Sided

𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆 𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗮𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝗼𝗻 𝟮 𝗝𝘂𝗹𝘆 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟯. Earlier this month, Carte Blanche investigated a multi-million rand Ponzi scheme that involved purchasing luxury vehicles without ever paying a loan instalment. The wheels eventually came off in spectacular fashion. Then, days after our broadcast, viewers sent us stories of how they had fallen victim to a more complex but similar scam. We investigate an intricate “ride to own” scheme which had some motorists owning multiple vehicles that they weren’t paying for and never took possession of. Now, the banks are owed more than R500 million and numerous vehicles have gone missing – stripped and resold for parts by a shady dealership. The Hawks are investigating but for the so-called victims, it’s time to pay up. Your favourite episodes are now available on Carte Blanche: The Podcast: https://linktr.ee/carteblanchetv

𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆 𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗮𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝗼𝗻 𝟮𝟱 𝗝𝘂𝗻𝗲 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟯. For years, Krasimir Kamenov had a fearsome reputation as a mobster on the streets of Bulgaria. But for over a decade, he was hiding out in Constantia, living the high life with his beauty queen wife and entourage while socialising with other ex-patriate Bulgarians. Now Kamenov is dead, brutally assassinated with his family and staff. The murders remain a mystery despite an ongoing police investigation. It seems Eastern European criminals have come to Cape Town to set up stations for drug trafficking and the exploitation of South Africa’s unprotected coastline, its porous ports and lacklustre policing. Much of this is happening in the leafy lanes of well-to-do suburbs where neighbours turn a blind eye to the comings and goings of glamourous foreigners. Carte Blanche investigates. Your favourite episodes are now available on Carte Blanche: The Podcast: https://linktr.ee/carteblanchetv

𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆 𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗮𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝗼𝗻 𝟮𝟯 𝗔𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗹 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟯. He was a young man looking for an exciting rendezvous on the dating app, Grindr. But within minutes of meeting his love match, he knew something was horribly wrong. What followed was a terrifying ordeal of beatings, torment, and robbery from which he escaped alive but with deep psychological scars. What’s more, he’s not the only victim: In a worrying trend, opportunistic criminals are using online dating apps to “catfish”, blackmail and rob people whose only desire is to find love or a fleeting romance. Many of those who’ve fallen victim to these crimes say they’ve received little support from the police, and the app developers are refusing responsibility. In a special two-part report, Carte Blanche investigates. Your favourite episodes are now available on Carte Blanche: The Podcast: https://linktr.ee/carteblanchetv

This story originally aired on 23 April 2023. Dating apps have become very popular for singles looking for love or hook-ups. But for some users, instead of falling in love, they’ve fallen prey to unscrupulous and violent criminals exploiting dating apps for nefarious gain. Your favourite episodes are now available on Carte Blanche: The Podcast: https://linktr.ee/carteblanchetv