Family Tied to R5 Million Lifttech Scam Appears in Court

Key Takeaways:

• A father and his two daughters have been released on R20,000 bail after being charged with fraud, theft, and money laundering
• The trio allegedly defrauded a lift and hoist company of approximately R5 million between 2019 and 2022
• The daughter who worked as a bookkeeper at the company is accused of siphoning funds from the company’s bank account to her personal account and those of her sister and father
• The family members face charges of fraud, theft, and money laundering, and their case has been postponed to February 4, 2026
• The company was prejudiced in the amount of R5 million as a result of the alleged fraud

Introduction to the Case
A dramatic turn of events has unfolded in the Goodwood Magistrate’s Court, where a father and his two daughters have been released on R20,000 bail following their court appearance for allegedly defrauding a lift and hoist company of millions. Nicole Robyn April, 35, a former bookkeeper at Lifttech Lift and Hoist Services, along with her sister Kayla Catherine Amos, 31, and their father Robert Gabriel Amos, 57, appeared briefly in court on Thursday, facing charges of fraud, theft, and money laundering. The case has sent shockwaves through the community, with many left wondering how such a large-scale fraud could have gone undetected for so long.

The Alleged Fraud
According to Hawks spokesperson Zinzi Hani, the alleged fraud and theft occurred between 2019 and 2022, with discrepancies identified during an audit. The matter was referred to the Hawks for further investigation, which revealed that Nicole April, as a bookkeeper, had access and control of the company’s bank accounts. It is alleged that she siphoned approximately R5 million from the bank account of the company to her personal bank account, from her account to the account of her sister, as well as her father. The funds were used for personal gain, with April disguising the purpose of the fund transfers by making false entries on the banking records. Furthermore, without authorization, she gave herself a salary increase amounting to R138,000 over the period and fraudulently applied for a petrol card.

Investigation and Arrest
The investigation into the alleged fraud was conducted by members of the Hawks’ Serious Commercial Crime Investigation team, who apprehended the family members on a warrant of arrest. The Hawks spokesperson confirmed that the trio was arrested and charged with fraud, theft, and money laundering. The investigation revealed a complex web of transactions, with funds being transferred between the company’s bank account and the personal accounts of the accused. The company was prejudiced in the amount of R5 million as a result of the alleged fraud, with the accused using the funds for personal gain.

Court Appearance and Bail
The father and his two daughters appeared briefly in the Goodwood Magistrate’s Court on Thursday, where they were granted bail with stringent conditions. The matter was postponed to February 4, 2026, when they will appear at the Parow Regional Court. The court’s decision to grant bail has raised questions about the severity of the charges and the likelihood of the accused fleeing the country. However, the Hawks spokesperson confirmed that the trio was released on R20,000 bail, with conditions that will be closely monitored by the court.

Conclusion and Implications
The case of the father and his two daughters accused of defrauding a lift and hoist company of millions has sent shockwaves through the community. The alleged fraud, which occurred over a period of three years, has raised questions about the company’s internal controls and the role of the bookkeeper in perpetuating the fraud. The case highlights the importance of regular audits and internal checks to prevent such large-scale fraud from occurring. As the case progresses, it will be interesting to see how the accused defend themselves against the charges and whether they will be found guilty of the alleged crimes. The outcome of the case will have significant implications for the company, the accused, and the community at large.