By Obakeng Maje

The  Directorate Priority Crimes have made a breakthrough with regards to a card cloning syndicate that they have been monitoring which have been operating in the North West Province. 

A 43 year old suspect who is believed to be a member of the syndicate was arrested on Thursday.

“The suspect was apprehended after members  kept observation  on the suspect at an identified hotspot (ATM)” Brigadier Thulani Ngubane said. 

Police allegedly srutinize the suspect’moves were he interfered with customers using the ATM. 

“Police allegedly pounced on him and the suspect was arrested. Skimming device and several bank cards believed to have been cloned was found in his possession” Ngubane said.

On further investigation,police went to the residence of the suspect in Doringkruin,near Klerksdorp where other items were seized.

“Amongst them, two laptops and a computer which will be sent for Forensic  Analysis.

Preliminary investigations revealed that the suspect is the owner of the plush property in Doringkruin as well as two luxury motor vehicles , one of which one was used at the time of his arrest” said police. Investigations will be conducted to ascertain how he acquired these assets as he was found to be unemployed. 

The mentioned assets will also form part of the investigations by the HAWKS as well as other Law Enforcement Agencies.

“The North West province has been engulfed by a measure increase in fraudulent crime, in particular card cloning. 

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” said police.

Police in the North West Province are sending a strong warning to criminals on an ongoing cloning or skimming of bank cards. 

“We can confirm that Card cloning and ATM fraud deprives victims of an estimated R3m per month in the North West Province only”.said police.

Police are determined to leave no stone unturned in dealing with these type of crimes and appeal to the community to report incidents of this nature and all suspects involved in these horrific crimes. 

The communities are urged to report any suspicious persons or devices at ATM’s to the police.

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