WESTERN CAPE – The Provincial Commercial Crime Investigation Unit, Western Cape conducted various successful operations which led to the arrest of suspects.
On 06 June 2022, the members reacted to information received of a syndicate who commits fraud in respect of online order scams. The suspects would order goods via email and make fictitious deposit into the unknown victim’s bank account. The goods are delivered by a courier or an e-hailing service at a location arranged by the suspects. At about 11:00 the members conducted an operation in Bloekombos Kraaifontein, which led them to a house where various electronic devices were seized, while arrests are yet to be made.
On 18 May 2022, the members reacted on information regarding an alleged online order scam in the Sea Point area. The multi-disciplinary team arrested a male and a female aged 31 and 41 who were found in possession of cellphones, skimming devices used to manufacture cloned credit cards, drugs and goods from multiple consumer outlets. Both suspects will appear in the Cape Town Magistrate court for a formal bail application on 09 June 2022.
On 27 May 2022, two suspects aged 30 and 40 were arrested in Saldanha for insurance related fraud. They were found in possession of documentation, cellphones, hard drives, a printer and a laptop suspected to be used in criminal activities. They appeared in court on 30 May 2022 and are due to appear in the Bellville Magistrate court again on the 15 June 2022 on charges of fraud, forgery, uttering and money laundering. Investigations determined that both suspects have pending fraud cases in Port Edward, Naboomspruit and Grahamstown linked to them.
On 31 May 2022, the members joined forces with Vusela Risk Service Management Security and other stakeholders, reacting to information relating to ATM fraud in the Cape Town CBD and Paarl areas. Concerted efforts using a multi-disciplinary stakeholder approach led to the arrest of two males, aged 41 and 45 who are allegedly part of an organized syndicate in the CBD and one arrest of a 31-year-old male in the Paarl area. A formal bail application will be heard today.
Source: South African Police Service