The National Consumer Commission (NCC) welcomes the preservation order granted by the Gauteng Division of the High Court of South Africa (in favour of the National Prosecuting Authority) against Trouva. The order for the amount of R 4 508 940 39 (Four Million, Five Hundred and Eight Thousand, Nine Hundred and Forty-Nine Rand and Thirty-Nine Cents) was granted on 18 September 2025. This amount is held in 19 different bank accounts.
The NCC received complaints from consumers who alleged that they had fallen victim to Trouva. The investigation revealed that Trouva is a multiplication scheme masquerading as a platform offering business opportunities to participants. The matter was referred to the NPA’s Asset Forfeiture Unit.
The scheme was promoted on various social media platforms, online platforms, and in-person events to recruit “investors”. Participants were promised high returns of between 20-50% on investments in furniture products, with a tiered investment system and incentives for recruiting new members.
This is how the scheme operated:
A participant would invest a minimum of R100 (One hundred Rand). Using the BW Product Chart, an “investor” would choose to invest from R98 (Ninety-Eight Rand) to R1720 (One Thousand Seven Hundred and Twenty Rand), with a promise of daily earnings ranging between 20 to 50% daily.
For each investment package they chose, participants were promised to receive daily income for 44 days. Trouva issued varied bank accounts where participants were expected to deposit their investment fees. To access the funds, the investor must open their personal wallet on their App, then click the withdrawal to claim their income.
Before the schemes collapsed, the investors were unable to access their withdrawals upon raising concerns; they were informed that they should pay an additional fee of R2 650.00 (Two Thousand Six Hundred and Fifty Rand) to verify their identity.
A multiplication scheme in terms of section 43(3)(a) of the Consumer Protection Act (CPA) exists “when when a person offers, promises or guarantees to any consumer, investor or participant an effective annual interest rate, as calculated in the prescribed manner, that is at least 20 per cent above the REPO Rate determined by the South African Reserve Bank as at the date of investment or commencement of participation, irrespective of whether the consumer, investor or participant becomes a member of the lending party”.
The CPA prohibits any person from directly or indirectly promoting, joining, entering, or participating in pyramids, multiplication, and related schemes.
The NCC urges the public to be vigilant and to exercise caution when considering investment opportunities. Investors should be wary of schemes that promise unrealistic returns or that pressure them to recruit new members. Before investing, investors should research the company and its products or services, and they should consult with a financial advisor.
Issued by: National Consumer Commission (NCC)
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