Two men have been sentenced to lengthy prison terms after a property fraud scheme that defrauded homebuyers and sellers of approximately R27 million over an 11-year period.
The Bethlehem Regional Court sentenced Peters Wilhemus Viljoen, 52, director of Blue Key Properties, and estate agent Samuel Kamolase Mofokeng, 48, on 4 August 2026.
According to the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks), the scheme operated between 2014 and 2025. The accused advertised residential properties for sale, assisted prospective buyers with property viewings and offers to purchase, and instructed buyers to deposit the purchase funds into the director’s account.
The Hawks said that despite receiving payment, the property transactions were never finalised, leaving both buyers and sellers financially prejudiced while the funds were misappropriated for personal benefit.
Viljoen was sentenced to 20 years’ direct imprisonment on multiple counts of fraud. He was also sentenced to six years’ imprisonment for contravening the Property Practitioners Act, with the sentences to run concurrently.
Mofokeng was sentenced to 18 years’ direct imprisonment on multiple counts of fraud. He also received a four-year prison sentence for contravening the Property Practitioners Act, which will run concurrently with the fraud sentence.
Blue Key Properties Brokers was convicted on multiple counts of fraud and fined R3 million. The fine was wholly suspended for five years on condition that the company is not convicted of a similar offence during the suspension period.
“The Acting Provincial Head of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks) in the Free State, Brigadier Paulus Mbongo, welcomed the sentencing of two accused involved in a property fraud scheme who defrauded numerous victims of approximately R27 million,” said Hawks spokesperson Warrant Officer Fikiswa Matoti in a media statement.
