Media Statement
Directorate for Priority Crimes Investigation (HAWKS)

WESTERN CAPE - Lucky Majangandile Erasmus (36) was yesterday, 3 June 2025 sentenced by the Specialised Commercial Crimes Court after entering into a plea agreement with the State to a combined eight (8) years imprisonment for cyber fraud, theft of data, and attempted cyber extortion. The total sentence was 8 years imprisonment with 3 years suspended for 5 years .The charges ranges from:

1 count of contravening section 12 of the Cybercrimes Act No. 19 of 2020,

1 count of theft of data, 

2 counts of attempted cyber extortion

4 counts of cyber fraud,

4 counts of unlawful accessing of a computer system,

3 counts of unlawful acts with software of hardware tool,

2 counts of unlawful interference with a network or data

1 count of unlawful interference with a data storage medium

1 count of resetting of passwords,

1 count of unlawful access

and 1 count of trespassing.

Erasmus’s sentence comes after he, and his co-accused (both ex-employees) loaded software onto “Ecentric” system(s) which allowed remote access. Thereafter an unknown person made contact with the CEO of “Ecentric” indicating that they have compromised various aspects of “Ecentric’s” IT environments and therefore will be holding “Ecentric” to ransom.

On the 14^th November 2023 the person made the first ransom demand of US$534,260.00. which must be paid within 16 hours, failing which the he will publish all of their data in the next 30 hours in every platform including their gateway competitors, stake holders, public and eccentric Regulators”.

A second ransom demand was made on the 30 November 2023, to the amount of US$ 1 000 000.00, and that if the payment is not met further action will be taken to prove the data breach and hack.  No ransom was paid by Ecentric. Four (4), Retail clients of Ecentric suffered a loss of R 794 808.51.  The accused have since been in custody from 14th December 2023 till the sentencing of Erasmus whereas his co accused, Felix Unathi Pupu (43) is still in custody to appear on 30 June 2025 for plea and sentencing.

The accused is not convicted of fraud, conspiracy to commit fraud, theft (or an attempt to commit any of these offences) committed during the period of suspension and for which the accused is sentenced to unsuspended imprisonment without the option of a fine

The accused is not convicted of contravening any of the provisions of Chapter 2 Part I of the Cybercrimes Act, Act 19 of 2020 (or an amended version of it) committed during the period of suspension.

The accused is not convicted of contravening any of the provisions of Section 1(1) (a) or (b) read with Sections 1(1A), 1(2) and 2 of the Trespass Act 6 of 1959 and further read with Section 250(1)(d) of the Criminal Procedure Act 51 of 1977, (or an amended version of it) committed during the period of suspension.

Erasmus, will effectively serve five (5) years direct imprisonment.

Additionally, he was declared unfit to possess a firearm

Ends

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