********** account

My company’s (Lekkerland 2nd Beach pty LTD) email address got hacked January 2023. On the 18 January 2023, a Proforma invoice was emailed by our Front of house to Legalwise for 11 people for 5 night – total R 9625.00 (29 Jan 23 - 03 Feb 23) That was the only and last emailed sent to Legalwise from Aamapondo Backpackers Staff. We sent many proforma/quotations to companies and if we don’t hear back from them, we accept they properly got cheaper or more upmarket accommodation.

Our email was hacked the same time, the hacker blocked us and continue emails to and from Legalwise – without us knowing. The hacker used my company name and changed the backing details on the original proforma – my business back account Lekkerland 2nd Beach Pty Ltd is with Standard Bank – the hacker only changed the bank to FNB with the FNB bank account number – which they convinced Legalwise to pay the R9625.00. The hacker used the same account name Lekkerland 2nd Beach Pty Ltd. On the 23 January 2023, Legalwise paid R9625.00 to the ********** FNB account – still thinking they dealing with us, since the hacker hacked our emailed address. On the 29 Januray 2023, 11 people from Legalwise arrived at Amapondo backpackers Lodge and to our surprise they should us the emails and proof of payment. Immediately we saw the account number is not our Standard Bank account number. We still allowed Legalwise to stay with us, at that stage we realised we got hacked. Legalwise – who use Nedbank, call Nedbank the next day to reverse the money – only to found out the money can only be reversed after 3 days of deposit.

My husband who has a FNB account did a test to see if the ********** FNB account is still active, EFT R100 rand into the account – and it was still active. He immediately called FNB ***** department and after many attempts and paperwork, was told there is nothing they can do, the money was spend already. I went to Standard Bank ***** department and was told Nedbank must reverse the money, which I rep**** that Nedbank told us, that they can only reverse after 3 days – nothing more.

Non of the mentioned banks involved can assist me any further.

My last emailed to First National bank, I ask them how they can open a bank account under the same company name as mine. Surely, they did all the necessary checks, which included CIPC. So far, no reply.