The Linden police want to let the community know that incidents of fraud will not be tolerated by either the police or shopping centres.
This alert comes after recent incidents of fraud have occurred in the Linden area.
In the most recent incident, a female suspect was shopping at a busy Randburg shopping mall on 9 January.
“After the suspect tried to purchase various items at the store, there was some trouble with the suspect’s card, and the store manager became highly suspicious. The manager alerted the bank’s credit card division who conducted a quick investigation. It was determined that the card did not belong to her and that she was trying to purchase the items fraudulently,” said Linden police spokesperson Constable Takalani Matumba.
The store alerted security who contacted the police, and the suspect was arrested and detained at the Linden Police Station.
She will appear in the Randburg Magistrates’ Court soon to face charges of fraud.
The police also issued shop owners the following safety tips:
- Maintain visibility throughout the store
- Keep your store well lit
- Do not keep a large amount of cash inside the store and change your pattern of banking
- Remain alert and watchful for suspicious activity
- Take precautions during the opening and closing of the store
- Be aware of your surroundings all the time
- Make sure all your alarm systems are working
- Be informed, join your business forums, community policing forums, sector crime forums and be involved in your neighbourhood watch.
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