The serious organised crime unit of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation in the North West arrested five suspects in Wolmaransstad on Monday for motor vehicle fraud, robbery and intimidation.
According to Capt. Tlangelani Rikhotso, the Hawks spokesperson, the victims of the syndicate are from places like Potchefstroom, Klerksdorp, Johannesburg, Krugersdorp, Welkom, Ceres, Kimberly and Kuruman.
The suspects appeared in the Wolmaransstad Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday.
‘The suspects, aged between 34 and 60, allegedly approached potential buyers of second-hand motor vehicles at car dealerships and promised them better cash deals for similar vehicles. They would then arrange a test drive, after which they would schedule a meeting to seal the deal with the requested cash payment. It was at this point that the suspects would allegedly take the money and run,’ said Rikhotso.
she said an investigative project was registered after numerous cases with the same modus operandi were reported at the Mogwase police station.
‘Thorough investigations were conducted, leading to the arrest of the five suspects with the sixth one already in prison for a different crime. During the arrest, items seized included 11 cell phones, R18 000, rounds of ammunition and several sim cards. The priority crime specialised investigations unit of the Hawks is already working to ensure that all the assets acquired from the proceeds of crime are forfeited to the state,’ she said.
The provincial head of the Hawks, Maj-Genl Linda Mbana was pleased with the successful termination of the investigative project. ‘Our goal was to ensure that we dismantle this syndicate from the top down, and indeed the kingpin was arrested along with his men,’ she said.
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