By Obakeng Maje
Rustenburg-A 43 year old suspect Oupa Joseph Mashangu who is believed to be a member of card cloning syndicate appeared at Rustenburg Magistrate’s Court on charges of Fraud and Electronic Communication and Transaction Act today.
The suspect is still in custody and will appear again on 3 June 2013 for a formal bail application.
“His arrest come after the Directorate Priority Crimes (The HAWKS) made a breakthrough with regards to a card cloning syndicate that they have been monitoring which have been operating in the North West Province” Brigadier Thulani Ngubane said.
The suspect was apprehended after members kept observation on him at an identified hotspot (ATM). The suspect was interfering with customers using the ATM and pounced on him. Mashangu was arrested with a skimming device and several bank cards believed to have been cloned.
“On further investigation, members went to the residence of the suspect which is in Doringkruin, in Klerksdorp where other items were seized amongst them two laptops and a computer which will be sent for Forensic Analysis” Ngubane said.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the suspect was the owner of the plush property in Doringkruin as well as two luxury motor vehicle.
Police said 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” said police.
The North West province has been engulfed by a measure increase in fraudulent crime, in particular card cloning.
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