Cape Town - A Kuils River woman has been sentenced to five years in jail after pleading guilty to committing vehicle finance fraud valued at R1.6 million.
Corrine Lambert, 53, was sentenced in the Bellville Specialised Commercial Crimes Court on Tuesday, nearly six years after she was charged.
Hawks spokesperson Siyabulela Vukubi said Lambert was charged in October 2018 but due to the Covid-19 outbreak the matter was struck from the roll.
“This was after the accused was charged with vehicle finance fraud to the value of R1 600 000 in October 2018 after she allegedly submitted two fraudulent vehicle finance applications.
“Due to Covid-19, the matter was struck from the roll in August 2020.”
Vukubi said Lambert later failed to appear in court and was busted again in October last year when a warrant of arrest was issued.
“The accused failed to appear in court afterwards and a warrant of arrest was issued. She was eventually arrested in October 2023 and has since been remanded in custody.
“The matter was probed by the Hawks’ Serious Commercial Crime Investigation and the accused entered into a Section 105A plea agreement with the State.
“She pleaded guilty to two counts of fraud,” Vukubi said.
Lambert was sentenced to five years direct imprisonment on each count, but as the sentences will run concurrently, she will serve an effective five years behind bars. She was also declared unfit to possess a firearm.
Earlier this week, a clerk at the Atlantis Magistrate’s Court was ordered to forfeit her pension and pay R10 000 a month to the Department of Justice after she was convicted on eight counts of fraud.
Olivia Adonis was employed as the main cashier when she misappropriated money between April 2018 and April 2019.
Cape Argus