Hilton Financial Professional Accused of Decade-Long Abuse of Women and Girls

“The man was primarily focused on underage girls though,” said private investigator Brad Nathanson, who is leading an investigation into a financial services professional in Hilton, KwaZulu-Natal. More than 44 alleged victims have come forward accusing the man of sexual misconduct and grooming spanning over a decade, The Citizen reported.

Nathanson Investigation Identifies 44 Alleged Victims

Private investigator Brad Nathanson initiated a social media appeal for information that led to dozens of women and girls reporting similar patterns of abuse. The victims range in age from children to a 70-year-old woman, according to Nathanson. He established that the youngest alleged victim was 11 years old at the time of her encounter with the suspect.

Nathanson reported that many of the alleged victims were groomed and abused from a single private school in the area. He further alleged that the man was banned from at least two gyms for approaching children.

Digital Grooming Methods Evolved From Mxit to WhatsApp

The suspect allegedly used evolving technology to contact young girls over a ten-year period. Nathanson stated the man began using Mxit and BlackBerry Messenger (BBM) in 2014 before transitioning to Instagram and WhatsApp. Nathanson questioned how the man obtained the contact details of so many underage learners, suggesting he may have had someone assisting him in acquiring phone numbers and social media profiles.

Several women told Nathanson that receiving unsolicited sexually explicit images from the man was viewed as a “rite of passage” for Grade 8 girls at the local school. One victim described the receipt of such images as a “welcome to the school.” The Citizen reported seeing the alleged genital images and accounts from women who received this material as children.

• Grade 6/7 victims: Reported receiving unsolicited penis photos via Mxit.
• Grade 7/8 victims: Reported receiving numerous pictures and videos via BBM and Mxit.
• 15-year-old victim: Alleged the man, then 18, obtained her BBM PIN and sent repeated explicit photos and videos.
• Adult victims: One woman, aged 45, reported the man turned an ordinary conversation sexual and sent explicit photos before she blocked him.

Audit Trail Reveals Relationship With 15-Year-Old

The investigation focused on the man after Nathanson discovered an audit trail on a 15-year-old girl’s phone. The teenager had been in a relationship with the adult for more than a year before caregivers discovered it. Nathanson stated that downloaded messages showed the man was “intensely jealous and possessive” and groomed the girl to believe she was his “special girl.” These messages included highly explicit content and indicated a sexual relationship between the man and the teenager.

School Officials Ignored Warnings About Behavior Since 2017

Nathanson claims the man operated with impunity for years despite warnings. The investigation has raised questions regarding what school officials knew about the behavior. Nathanson stated that a teacher at the private school received complaints involving young girls as far back as 2017 and reported the matter to school management.

Hilton Abuse Allegations Frequently Asked Questions

Which platforms were used to contact the victims?

The suspect allegedly used Mxit and BlackBerry Messenger starting in 2014, later moving to Instagram and WhatsApp as technology changed.

How many victims have come forward so far?

More than 44 alleged victims have responded to the appeal for information issued by private investigator Brad Nathanson.

Were adults also targeted by the suspect?

Yes. While Nathanson stated the man focused on underage girls, a 45-year-old woman and former female colleagues reported inappropriate sexual propositions and communication via Instagram.

“He’s been going for so long that his methods have evolved along with technology,” Nathanson said.