By Obakeng Maje

Klerksdorp-A 43 year old suspect from Doringkruin in Klerksdorp was on Thursday at about 14:00 arrested by the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation( the Hawks) of Rustenburg, in Rustenburg CBD.

“It is alleged that the suspect  was caught after gazing people who were doing transactions at one of the bank ATMs in Rustenburg CBD” Brigadier Thulani Ngubane said. The police who were conducting their observation at the bank during that time spotted a suspicious man whom they recognised as one of the bank card cloners, standing suspiciously behind an unsuspecting victim who was busy withdrawing money from the machine.

“Police quickly approached, questioned searched him and found a Scheming Device in his possession. He led the police to his car which was parked nearby where the search continued and thirty (30) different bank cards were found in his car” Ngubane said.

“He was immediately arrested and further led the police to his residential place in Klerksdorp where another search was conducted on Friday at about 09:00 in the morning” said police. 

Police allegedly recovered 2 laptops and computer.

They were seized for further investigation. 

The suspect’s vehicle which he was driving during the arrest was also confiscated. 

“Police are also looking into forfeiting the suspect’s assets if they find out that he benefitted from these horrible activities” said Ngubane.

The suspect is still in custody and is expected to appear before Rustenburg Magistrate’s Court on Monday to face charges of Fraud and Electronic Communication and Transaction Act.

North West police warn the community on an ongoing cloning or skimming of bank cards. 

“Card cloning and ATM fraud is one of the concerns of the police as it cost victims of an estimated R20 million per month in the North West Province only” police said. 

It is alleged that most of the suspects are from Jouberton township in Klerksdorp.  

Police are determined to leave no stone unturned in dealing with these types of crime. 

Police are appealing to the public to be alert when withdrawing money from the ATM’s. 

“The simplest and easiest way to prevent your card from being used by fraudsters is to stand close to the ATM and cover the keypad when you enter the PIN” Ngubane said. 

“This will stop shoulder surfers from stealing your PIN number and prevent it from being read with a hidden camera on the ATM, which is a method used by fraudsters.” concludes police.  

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