Cyan Boujee and Seemah Being Investigated After Promoting Russia ‘Start Programme’ for Young Women

• Cyan Boujee and Seemah are in hot water after sharing videos advertising an opportunity for South African women to study and work in Russia
• The Justice, Crime Prevention and Security Cluster confirmed the duo, as well as other influencers, were being probed for advertising the opportunity
• A celebrity previously shared how they were almost trafficked while enjoying a night out at a nightclub

Influencer and club DJ Cyan Boujee is being investigated after promoting an opportunity for young South African women to travel to Russia. Other influencers, such as Seemah, also promoted the opportunity on their respective social media accounts.

Cyan Boujee trended after a video of her encouraging young women to apply for the Alabuga Start Programme to enhance their skills and better themselves. After South Africans called out the influencers for promoting an alleged trafficking ring, the government announced that Cyan Boujee and others were under investigation.

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Cyan Boujee under probe for promoting Russian programme

On Sunday, 24 August 2025, the Justice, Crime Prevention and Security Cluster took to X to announce that the video posted by Cyan Boujee was being investigated. The post was captioned:

“The video clip circulated by a social media influencer, which purports to promote a 2-year-long ‘START PROGRAM’ targeting young women in acquiring professional skills and commencing their careers, is currently under investigation. Notably, the author of the post has since removed the promotional video from her social media platforms.”

The Justice, Crime Prevention and Security Cluster also advised South Africans on what to do when they are offered an opportunity to work or study abroad. The post was captioned:

“[VERIFY] Do not rely solely on social media promotions. Always cross-check and get a second opinion from a trusted source. Verify jobs through official channels: contact the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO): @DIRCO_ZA, contact the South African embassies in the country where those opportunities are based.”

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“This is how human trafficking begins”: SA finds Cyan Boujee’s latest Russian campaign targeting girls sketchy

What netizens are saying about the probe targeting Cyan Boujee and Seemah

In the comments, several netizens urged the Justice, Crime Prevention and Security Cluster to arrest Cyan Boujee, who previously trended for her relationship drama. Others applauded social media activism and suggested that the government should also engage Russian authorities.

Here are some of the reactions:

@mdu_maphs urged:

“Don't let this slide. Please get to the bottom of this.”

@Thuso1Africa celebrated:

“Believe it or not, but social media activism works. Well done to all the accounts that exposed this Russia job opportunity fraud for African women.”

@Petite_Penny said:

“Imagine if social media peeps didn’t pay attention to this. The investigation wouldn’t have taken place. 🤔 💭 I wonder where Cyan is hiding now.”

@Snonti suggested:

“Such statements are useful but lack impact. Maybe you must consider shifting the obligations from would-be victims to perpetrators. Open a criminal case against her. Make her an example.”

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@daddyo_2 advised:

“@CrimeWatch_RSA, we urge you to engage with the Russian authorities to help dismantle this syndicate and expose those involved. It is critical to uncover: 1. How many such rings are being operated by so-called influencers? 2. How many young women have been lured into these schemes? 3. How many have gone missing as a result? This Women’s Month must be dedicated to bringing justice and protecting vulnerable women from such exploitation. We cannot allow these crimes to go unnoticed or unchallenged.”

Candice Modiselle-Sello recalls trafficking attempt

Human trafficking is a scourge that affects South Africans from all walks of life.

Briefly News reported that Candice Modiselle, now Sello, shared some details of how she was almost trafficked when she went to an undisclosed club.

She recalled how an elderly woman approached her, saying someone needed her outside, and she followed her, assuming the woman was simply one of the staff around the club.

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Source: Briefly News