Indian-Origin South African Attorney Arrested for Wedding Scam
Prelyn Mohanlall, a 53-year-old disbarred Indian-origin attorney in South Africa, was arrested for scamming 17 couples by accepting payments for the same wedding venue. Despite the serious nature of her actions, she may avoid jail after her attorney’s promise to return the funds to victims. Mohanlall maintains her innocence and claims financial difficulties led to her inability to refund the couples.
In a troubling incident in South Africa, Prelyn Mohanlall, a 53-year-old disbarred attorney originally from India, has been arrested for defrauding 17 couples by accepting payments for the same wedding venue on multiple occasions. Despite her arrest, there is potential that she may avoid serving jail time due to her attorney and family’s assurances to repay the victims. Mohanlall had previously earned the trust of couples only to leave them disappointed on their wedding day when they arrived at empty venues without any amenities.
In December of the previous year, one of the couples reported Mohanlall to Reaction Unit South Africa (RUSA), a private security firm that successfully tracked her down through social media and other investigative means. RUSA discovered a total of 17 couples who shared similar experiences of being swindled. Authorities indicated that Mohanlall has a long history of legal infractions, including defrauding a car dealership and stealing from a client’s trust fund.
Mohanlall has dismissed the allegations against her, claiming her business faced challenges and asserting that she intended to refund the couples who had their wedding arrangements cancelled. She stated, “It is not a scam and I am not a scammer. My company went through so much. Late last year, I had nine cancellations and I sent out letters to each of the couples to notify them that they would get a full refund.”
The serious implications of her actions have left many couples grappling with the emotional and financial repercussions of their lost wedding plans. One victim expressed the profound impact on their dreams of a perfect wedding, having to re-scrape finances to reconsider their plans for a future date, remarking on the disappointment caused by the incident without revealing their identity.
This case highlights the vulnerabilities in the wedding planning industry, particularly concerning scams that exploit the emotions of couples planning significant life events. The various couples impacted by Mohanlall’s actions demonstrated a shared experience of betrayal as they aimed to secure memorable wedding venues, only to be misled. The involvement of a private security company illustrates how communities are increasingly taking action against such fraudulent practices, aiming to prevent others from suffering similar fates.
The arrest of Prelyn Mohanlall underscores the pressing need for vigilance in contractual agreements within the wedding industry. As the legal proceedings progress, the efficacy of promises to repay victims remains to be seen. This incident serves as a cautionary tale for couples planning their weddings, highlighting the importance of thorough vetting of service providers.
Original Source: www.ndtv.com
