A 34-year-old suspect was arrested yesterday after attempting to extort R30 000 from a Bedfordview man by threatening his family.
Bedfordview SAPS spokesperson Captain Andre De Jager said the victim told officers he received a message over WhatsApp from an unknown number.
The message detailed how the suspect knew the family of his victim. The suspect then demanded R30 000 from the man.
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De Jager said the victim contacted the BCPF who then made contact with the SAPS Crime Intelligence head office.
“The victim continued his correspondence with the suspect,” said De Jager.
He added that the victim and the suspect proposed to meet up at Eastgate Shopping Centre for the money hand over.
“A sting operation was set up by SAPS Crime Intelligence with the assistance of EMPD SWAT team as well as a hostage negotiator,” said De Jager.
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The man was instructed to drop the money off at the centre and leave immediately.
Once the victim had left the shopping centre the suspect collected the money and was arrested.
“The suspect was detained and a case of extortion and intimidation was opened at Bedfordview SAPS,” said De Jager.
