Sting leads to arrest of 5 suspected online scammers, while 4 others escape
Acting Police Commissioner Major General Fred Kekana stated that the arrested group will be profiled for possible links to similar cases in the province.
Five online scam suspects, aged 27 and 39, who were injured during a shootout with police in President Park, were transported to the Tembisa Hospital under police guard for further medical attention.
The five suspects, driving a Toyota Etios, rolled over when police opened fire, hitting a wall before plunging into a furrow on Steyn Road on August 25. The police recovered two firearms from the suspect’s car. Four other suspects, in a VW Polo, managed to speed off, despite their car also being shot at multiple times. A police car was also riddled with various shots by the suspects, but no serious injuries were reported by the authorities.
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The suspects are believed to be part of a syndicate operating in Gauteng’s affluent suburbs, such as Midrand and Sandton. They operate by scamming people through various social media platforms, selling goods for a price too good to be true.
Acting Gauteng police commissioner Major General Fred Kekana said they lure their victims to a location, where they rob them of their belongings. The latest victim, three weeks ago (August 4) in Midrand, fell victim when the scammers advertised a VW Polo Vivo for a next to nothing price, compared to the real value of the car. “On arrival, the victim was kidnapped and shot in both legs. The scammers took cash and his bank cards, to withdraw money.
“Another [potential victim], a friend of the previous victim, saw the same car on Facebook Marketplace. He arranged with [the suspects] to buy the car, but he felt uncomfortable when they kept on pushing him for a meet-up, to collect the car.” He then went to the police to inform them of his suspicions about the sale. A sting operation was then put in place by SAPS, after the potential victim arranged to meet the sellers at a secluded place on President Park’s Steyn Road. This resulted in the shoot out and the arrest of the suspects.
“We urge people to be vigilant, and always decide the location of their choice,” said Kekana, suggesting nearby a police station, or, at least, in a public place with other people around.
“For the four that have fled,” Kekana continued. “Police are investigating, and they will be caught in no time. We hope to link them with other cases of this nature.”
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