Investors fear cryptocurrency CEO accused of stealing millions could be on the run – News24

07:53 29/05/2020 Buks Viljoen, Correspondent

A man accused of stealing millions from Bitcoin investors appears to have made a run for it.

Investors who were contacted by News24 said they have not heard from the CEO of VaultAge Solutions (VS), Willie Breedt, since December when he promised to pay back their money.

The Hawks have stepped in to investigate after an investor opened a case of fraud against Breedt.

Some have speculated Breedt is staying at a luxury mansion in the well-known Marina Martinique Estate in Ashton Bay, Jeffrey's Bay.

However, officially he seems to be still out of the country.

According to information from the Department of Home Affairs, Breedt left the country for Mozambique on 21 December via the Kosi Bay border post.

There is no indication on the system he had returned to the country; however, a source said a glitch in the system might not have updated his movements.

Hundreds of investors

In the meantime, investors are concerned they will never see their money again.

VaultAge Solutions, which is not registered as a legitimate financial institution with the Financial Services Conduct Authority (FSCA), has more than 2 000 investors.

Millions of rand have been invested in Breedt's cryptocurrency scheme, with one investor depositing more than R6 million.

Pleas to return the money have fallen on deaf ears.

READ |Hawks investigate cryptocurrency CEO after investors cry foul

Besides a few generic emails from Breedt promising to repay the outstanding amounts, no other communication has been received.

"I don't have R50 in my purse," Lettie Engelbrecht from Krugersdorp said.

"We are pensioners and invested R200000. From December until April, we received payments on the growth of our investment. Since then, we never got any money. We are desperate and living on a shoestring budget."

In a written reply to News24, Breedt said: "I am busy attendingto the commitments I have made to members. The commitment is to have all the initial capital paid back by 31 May."

Case under investigation

He, however, did not respond to the questions about his whereabouts and his visit to Mozambique.

Hawks spokesperson Colonel Katlego Mogale confirmed they were still investigating the case and "cannot reveal any information at this stage".

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Investors fear cryptocurrency CEO accused of stealing millions could be on the run - News24