The man was handcuffed for the alleged contravention of Section 7 of the Cybercrimes Act 19 of 2020.
A Sebokeng man has been arrested for allegedly running an illegal DStv streaming operation. Picture: Saps
A Sebokeng man has been arrested for allegedly running an illegal DStv streaming operation after the South African Police Service (Saps) cybercrime investigators uncovered a scheme that supplied streaming codes to customers via WhatsApp.
Police handcuffed the man for allegedly contravening Section 7 of the Cybercrimes Act 19 of 2020, following an investigation into the operation last week.
WhatsApp codes
Police said members of the Cyber Crime Unit, working with MultiChoice forensic investigators, acted on information from MultiChoice about a shop allegedly selling DStv streaming services without a valid license along the Golden Highway and Zone 13, Sebokeng.
The Saps said the test purchases were conducted, during which the suspect allegedly sent streaming codes to customers via WhatsApp.
“The team conducted searches at two shops in Boitumelo and at the suspect’s residence in Zone 13, Sebokeng. During the operation, several items believed to be linked to the alleged illegal streaming activities were seized, including television boxes, receipt books, routers, a point-of-sale (POS) device, remote controls, advertising flyers, laptops and external hard drives.”
Arrest
Police said they arrested the suspect for the alleged contravention of the Cybercrimes Act, while also investigating possible money-laundering-related offences.
He is expected to appear soon at the Sebokeng Magistrate’s Court.
The Cyber Crime Unit Commander, Lieutenant Colonel Ngwaku Lazarus Mokovhi, thanked the members involved in the operation for their dedication, cooperation, and commitment to combating cybercrime.
“He acknowledged the collaboration between the Saps and MultiChoice forensic investigators, highlighting the importance of intelligence-driven investigations and partnerships with relevant stakeholders in addressing cyber-related offences,” Saps said.
Appeal
The Saps emphasised that cooperation between law enforcement agencies and private-sector stakeholders plays a vital role in combating crime and holding those suspected of unlawful activities accountable.
The community and business owners have been encouraged to operate within the law and report suspected criminal activities to the police.
