KEY POINTS
- Two suspects arrested after a multi-disciplinary operation in Eastern Cape.
- They allegedly used software to withdraw cash illegally from ATMs.
- The suspects will face charges in Western Cape after appearing in court.
On Monday, two suspects were taken into custody in the Eastern Cape in relation to a slew of ATM fraud cases in the Western Cape that caused an estimated R7 million in losses.
Multi-disciplinary operation leads to arrest of two fraud suspects
With support from the Peddie Visible Policing Unit, Western Cape Crime Intelligence, and the SAPS Western Cape Commercial Crimes Unit, the arrest came after a multidisciplinary operation headed by the Serious Organized Crime Investigation team in East London. Following the intelligence-driven operation, the 38 and 35-year-old suspects were apprehended close to Peddie.
The two are suspected of illegally taking out cash from Fidelity Cash Solutions-serviced ATMs using sophisticated software. According to Lieutenant Colonel Avele Fumba, spokesman for the Eastern Cape Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI), better known as the Hawks, one suspect allegedly posed as a Fidelity security guard while carrying a rifle in order to provide the appearance of genuine ATM servicing.
According to The Citizen, an estimated R7 million was lost as a result of the Western Cape’s string of ATM fraud events. On March 15, the DPCI was launched by the Western Cape police commercial crimes unit, which suspected that the perpetrators had relocated to the Eastern Cape. After following the suspects to an East London guesthouse, the Hawks discovered that they had already departed. The suspects were driving a white Toyota Fortuner toward Peddie.
Hawks track suspects to guest house and intercept their vehicle
The suspects were arrested after a multidisciplinary team stopped the car on the N2 highway. A laptop purportedly holding fake ATM-access software and other crucial evidence was found during a car check.
The suspects were taken to the Western Cape to face charges after making an appearance in the East London Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday.
The public was reassured by Hawks’ Eastern Cape Provincial Head, Major General Mboiki Obed Ngwenya, that the Hawks are still dedicated to breaking up criminal syndicates and making sure individuals who are suspected of economic crimes are held responsible.
