It seems that the alleged scammer may be involed in credit card and online scamming after cops search his house.
PRETORIA – Goods worth around R500,000 have been confiscated by the police after an alleged online scammer was arrested in Florida, the Johannesburg Metro Police Department (JMPD) said on Friday.
“On Thursday afternoon, JMPD officers spotted a male carrying an unknown item under his arm approaching members of the public. Officers became suspicious and approached the man, identifying themselves,” said JMPD spokesperson Xolani Fihla.
During questioning by the JMPD officers, the man said he was selling his laptop to raise money to pay the rent.
“After asking several questions it was found that the man was in fact lying and officers searched him, finding an airgun in his possession. Further inspection was conducted, which led to the man’s residence in the Florida area,” said Fihla.
The South African Police Service (SAPS) was called to the scene.
“A search was conducted at the man’s residence and officers found that the suspect could be a credit card and online scammer. Various credit cards and banking details from different banks were found in his house,” said Fihla.
“The FNB fraud investigation office was contacted and they attended the scene to verify the findings. There were other various items found which were purchased fraudulently online. All confiscated goods have an estimated value of R500,000 and this was booked in at Florida SAPS.”
Fihla said the suspect was detained for possession of suspected stolen property, contravening the Electronic Communications and Transactions Act and possession of a replica firearm.
“The case was transferred to the Johannesburg commercial crimes investigation unit for further investigation,” he said.
African News Agency
