Middelburg Magistrates’ court hands down sentence for vehicle fraud
A man was found guilty of defrauding Yagos 4 Wheel Cars in Middelburg of a Suzuki valued over R400 000.
The Middleburg Magistrates’ Court has on Monday, found guilty and sentenced Jacob Aphane (36) for vehicle fraud.
According to a media statement issued by the Hawks, the sentencing follows after the accused was charged for vehicle finance fraud to the value of R496 211.19.
It was reported that on 07 October 2022, the accused applied for vehicle finance at Yagos 4 Wheel Cars in Middelburg, using fraudulent documents, payslip and bank statement.
He alleged that he was employed at GT Auto Company in Marble Hall.
Wesbank approved the finance application based on the fraudulent documents presented and the accused collected the vehicle, a Suzuki Ertiga to the value of R496 211.19.
The accused did not pay the monthly instalments for more than three months. The bank tried to locate him but he was not found.
The matter was reported to the Hawks Middelburg based Serious Commercial Crime Investigation for further probe.
During investigation, it was established that the company does not exist.
The Hawks pursued the investigation and the vehicle was recovered while the accused was summoned to appear in court.
He was arrested, charged and released on a warning.
He appeared in court on several occasions until he was found guilty and sentenced on Monday, 23 September to eight years imprisonment of which three years were suspended for five years on condition that the accused is not found guilty of similar offence during suspension.
