Five suspects were arrested earlier today in a joint operation between Mi7 National Group and Mountain Rise police for fraud and theft at a Panorama business in Pietermaritzburg.

Mi7’s Strategic Threat Response Unit reported that the suspects had falsified documents and receipts, posing as an existing customer to order goods on account. The fraud was only discovered when payment became due, and the actual customer denied placing any orders.

Yesterday, the suspects allegedly attempted the same scheme, placing an order worth R65 000. A joint team tracked them to Edendale, where they were offloading the stolen goods to a buyer.

Mi7 confirmed: “The team pounced, apprehending five suspects, and recovered the goods. The matter is now with the police for further investigation.”