LIMPOPO – The Limpopo Provincial Commercial Crime Unit has arrested four men, aged between 28 and 43, for fraud after they defrauded a victim of an amount totalling R767 000 by accessing his banking details while posing as bank employees and offering assistance with his banking profile.

Their arrest stems from an incident in October 2022, when a victim in Giyani received a call from someone impersonating a bank representative, claiming to offer assistance with his banking profile.

After confirming his banking details with the imposter, the victim later discovered that a total of R767 400 had been fraudulently transferred from his account and immediately withdrawn.

A case was opened by the police, and a preliminary investigation into the case later revealed that the stolen funds were initially transferred into a single account before being distributed across four different account holders.

A warrant of arrest was later issued, prompting a search for the suspects.

However, they evaded the police for three years before finally being tracked down in Middelburg, Mpumalanga, where they were arrested on Wednesday following a thorough investigation by the Limpopo Provincial Commercial Crime Unit.

The alleged fraudsters appeared before the Giyani Magistrate’s Court facing charges of theft, money laundering, assisting another to benefit from the proceeds of unlawful activities, and the acquisition, possession, or use of proceeds obtained from unlawful activities.

Limpopo police commissioner, Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe, praised the investigation team for their diligent efforts in ensuring the suspects were brought to justice. She highlighted the team’s commitment, perseverance, and meticulous approach in tracking down the suspects, who had managed to evade law enforcement for three years.

She urged communities to remain vigilant against banking scammers to avoid losing their money in their banks. “Fraud and money laundering have a devastating impact on individuals and businesses.

“We encourage the public to stay alert to banking scams and report any suspicious activities to the police,” she said.

Meanwhile, the investigation into the matter is ongoing and more arrests are expected.

Anyone with information that could help police track down additional suspects involved in the bank scam is urged to contact Dt Const Marcus Khosa at 066 239 3255, call Crime Stop at 08600 10111, or visit their nearest police station.