How thieves cleaned out Gauteng chef’s bank account

Renowned Gauteng chef Fortunato Mazzone’s life took a devastating turn when he fell victim to a harrowing cybercrime incident that left him virtually penniless.

The shocking ordeal began innocently enough as he and his wife, Veralda, were enjoying a quiet moment at a Pretoria coffee shop, only to have their tranquility shattered by a brazen theft that marked the start of a nightmare scenario.

The theft of Fortunato’s cellphone, snatched by an opportunistic thief who fled the scene, served as a prelude to a series of events that would unravel his financial security and peace of mind.

What followed was a cascade of fraudulent transactions draining his business and personal accounts, orchestrated by cybercriminals who exploited his compromised information to siphon funds undetected.

Despite his efforts to mitigate the damage, including reporting the theft to the police and enlisting the bank’s assistance, Fortunato found himself helpless as the looting persisted.

The sight of his hard-earned money being siphoned away in real-time, with the bank seemingly powerless to intervene effectively, left him devastated and vulnerable to further financial exploitation.

The cybercriminals’ audacious tactics extended to maxing out Fortunato’s credit cards, plunging him into a staggering debt exceeding R600,000.

The profound impact of the incident on his financial stability and emotional well-being was palpable, as he grappled with the repercussions of the malicious attack on his livelihood.

While Fortunato refrained from providing further details pending the banks’ investigations, his candid reflections on social media offered a poignant glimpse into the turmoil and despair he was experiencing.

Expressing a profound sense of defeat and despair, he shared his concerns about securing additional funding to meet his financial obligations to staff and suppliers, revealing the profound toll of the cybercrime on his personal and professional life.

Standard Bank, in response to inquiries, confirmed that Fortunato’s fraud complaint is under investigation.


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