Browsing: Social media crime

He built their trust online, arranged to meet in person, then took them to isolated places where he raped and assaulted them. The High Court sentenced him to four life terms and warned that his actions were carefully planned and that he was a danger to society. What began as messages about modelling and photoshoots ended in rape, assault and robbery. The High Court in Johannesburg sentenced 26-year-old Victor Mokoena to four life sentences after finding he used social media to find vulnerable young women. Mokoena was found guilty on four counts of rape, attempted murder, robbery with aggravating circumstances, assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm and pointing an object that looked like a firearm. The court gave him a life sentence for each of the four rape charges, 15 years for robbery with aggravating circumstances, two years for assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm, and one year for pointing an object that looked like a firearm. The other sentences will run at the same time as the life sentences. Social media became his hunting ground The court heard that Mokoena operated in and around Johannesburg from March 2021 to October 2024. He contacted young women through Facebook and Instagram, pretending to be a photographer, promoter or organiser of modelling and promotional events. His offers sounded professional and real, making the victims believe they were being given genuine opportunities. According to the State, the social media conversations were just the first step in a carefully planned scheme. Mokoena used these platforms to find potential victims, gain their trust and convince them to meet him in person. The women thought they were going to modelling appointments, promotional events or photoshoots. Victims were taken to secluded places Once the victims arrived at the meeting spots, Mokoena took them to quiet, hidden places where he raped and assaulted them. In some cases, he strangled the victims, threatened them with something that looked like a gun and stole their belongings. Investigators discovered that Mokoena deleted conversations and contact details from the victims’ phones, apparently to hide his identity and make the investigation harder. Police also found he used different names when talking to victims online. The different cases were eventually linked because of similarities in how Mokoena operated and digital evidence found during the investigation. Police were able to connect the cases to Mokoena. Court found deliberate and dangerous conduct State Advocate Hope Zwane said during sentencing that Mokoena’s crimes were carefully planned and showed persistence in finding and luring victims through social media. She argued that his actions proved he was a real danger to society. The High Court agreed with the State and found that Mokoena treated his victims badly and used disrespectful language towards them. Warning for social media users The National Prosecuting Authority welcomed the sentences and praised the investigating officers and prosecution team for connecting the cases and securing convictions. It also repeated its commitment to prosecuting sexual offences and getting justice for victims of gender-based violence. The NPA urged the public, especially young people, to be cautious when responding to unexpected offers on social media and to check people’s identities before meeting them face to face. Conviction.co.za Get your news on the go. Click here to follow the Conviction WhatsApp channel.

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Browsing: Social media crime