By Staff Reporter
POLOKWANE – Two individuals, Mpho Dagada (30) and Emily Ramogale (47), accomplices to former Thobela FM presenter Sebasa Mogale, appeared in court on November 29, 2024, facing fraud charges related to their involvement in a massive cryptocurrency scam. The pair were arrested by the Provincial Commercial Crime Investigation Unit for their roles in the “Mining City” Bitcoin scam, which defrauded numerous investors in Limpopo.
The accused appeared in the Polokwane Specialized Crime Court, where they were remanded in custody until Monday, December 2, 2024, for a formal bail application. The charges against them stem from their alleged participation in the fraudulent cryptocurrency scheme, which promised significant financial returns through Bitcoin mining investments but ultimately left investors empty-handed.
The scandal centers on Sebasa Mogale, a former popular radio personality at Thobela FM, who, alongside his accomplices Dagada and Ramogale, promoted a Bitcoin mining investment opportunity called “Mining City.” Mogale used his trusted position on the radio to advertise the scheme, assuring listeners that they could make substantial profits by investing in Bitcoin mining packages. The investment options ranged from R6,500 to R253,000, with the promise of high returns based on the amount invested.
Mogale’s stature in the community played a key role in gaining the trust of potential investors, many of whom believed the opportunity was legitimate due to his credibility as a radio presenter. In the radio advertisements, Mogale invited listeners to attend a seminar at an office located on Landros Mare Street in Polokwane, where he and his accomplices outlined how the scam worked.
At the seminar, brochures detailing various investment packages were distributed, and attendees were encouraged to invest. Many trusted Mogale’s endorsement and deposited money into a Standard Bank account belonging to the Bitcoin trader behind the operation. Investors were given reference numbers and instructed to return to the office, where they were provided with email addresses and login credentials, allegedly to access their growing investments.
However, when the investors tried to withdraw their promised returns, they discovered that their login details had been blocked. Upon contacting Mogale for answers, he reportedly told them that the “Mining City” scheme had collapsed due to inflation, leaving them with no way to recover their money.
Frustrated by the situation, many victims returned to the office, only to find it closed. It became evident that they had been the victims of a carefully orchestrated fraud. By May 2022, over 10 complaints had been filed at Polokwane and Mokopane police stations, with victims realizing that their trust in Mogale and his associates had been exploited.
The police investigation into the scam is still ongoing, with authorities working to uncover the full scope of the fraud and ensure that all those involved are held accountable. The case has focused on the roles of Mogale, his wife Emily Ramogale, and Mpho Dagada in facilitating the scheme, which left numerous investors financially devastated.
This case underscores the significant responsibility public figures and media personalities have when promoting products or investment opportunities. Sebasa Mogale’s role as a well-known radio presenter gave him considerable influence over his audience, which he is alleged to have abused to perpetuate the scam. His betrayal of listeners’ trust has left many individuals grappling with financial losses.
As the legal proceedings continue, the accused will face increasing scrutiny for their involvement in the scam and its broader implications on the reputations of public figures. The court case is likely to attract significant attention as both victims and the public await justice.
Mpho Dagada and Emily Ramogale remain in custody as they await their formal bail hearing. The court is scheduled to hear their bail application on December 2, 2024. Meanwhile, the police continue to investigate the case, and further arrests could follow as more details emerge.
The victims of the “Mining City” scam are left to reflect on their experiences and the lessons learned from this devastating fraud. Many hope that the legal process will bring the perpetrators to justice and provide some form of closure to those who were harmed by the scam.
