A suspected ringleader linked to a multimillion-rand vehicle licensing fraud syndicate operating in Gauteng and the Free State has been arrested in an intelligence-led operation in Parys, Free State.

The suspect was arrested on the night of July 28 during a joint operation involving the Road Traffic Management Corporation’s (RTMC) National Anti-Corruption Unit, the South African Police Service’s Crime Intelligence Tactical and Special Operations, the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks), and cyber units from both Crime Intelligence and the Hawks.

According to RTMC spokesperson Simon Zwane, intelligence led investigators to a private residence where the suspect was allegedly using unauthorised access to the National Traffic Information System (NaTIS) to fraudulently assist vehicle owners with licence renewals.

“When members arrived at the location, they noticed a computer screen with the NaTIS logon screen and user number and password typed in, ready to execute any transaction,” said Zwane.

He said investigators also found NaTIS printouts and reports from different provinces, papers containing vehicle registration numbers, identity numbers and NaTIS login credentials.

An HP laptop, desktop computers and a cooler bag containing documents were seized during the operation.

Zwane said the suspect, believed to be an IT specialist, allegedly implicated former and current transport department officials, claiming NaTIS user credentials were obtained from officials using memory sticks.

He added that the suspect allegedly told investigators the syndicate operates in the south of Gauteng and the Free State and has access to NaTIS through credentials provided by official contacts in provinces across the country.

The syndicate is also alleged to target driving licence testing centres where biometric verification systems have not yet been introduced and to have access to credentials belonging to private vehicle testing stations, allowing vehicles to be fraudulently declared roadworthy on the system.

“The arrest represents a major breakthrough in investigations into the activities of this syndicate. The RTMC and the police have been investigating this for the past three years and believe that more arrests are imminent,” said Zwane.

RTMC CEO Advocate Makhosini Msibi commended the investigation team on the arrest and called on members to intensify efforts to ensure all those linked to the syndicate are brought to justice.

The suspect is expected to appear in the Parys Magistrate’s Court on July 30 as investigations continue.