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Three men are in police custody after defrauding a local business out of R56 000 stock.
Newcastle Crime Fighter’s Imran Ghafoor explains that the three men were arrested on Monday, 4 April 2022, after an elaborately laid out operation came together.
While stating that the business’s name must be withheld due to police investigations, Ghafoor explains that the perpetrators targeted an establishment by ordering stock under the pretence of being clients.
“After stock to the estimated value of R50 000 was ordered, proof of payment was then submitted to the respective business, and individuals were sent in to collect the goods. However, after the goods were collected and the business’s bank account was checked, it was discovered that no money had actually been paid in,” Ghafoor says.
With a warrant of arrest issued for the suspect and his cronies, Ghafoor explains that law enforcement received information on Monday that the fiends were striking the same business again.
“After receiving the information, we managed to track the suspects down and put a plan in action,” Ghafoor said.
This plan involved Newcastle Police’s Crime Prevention Unit, Newcastle Crime Fighter Task Team, the Newcastle Community Policing Forum (CPF) and Anti-Hijacking. The four teams closely monitored the situation, waiting for the suspects to ‘make payment’ and arrive to pick up the ordered stock.
“The suspects ordered approximately R6 000 worth of goods from the business, and when the payment was made, the police were informed immediately.”
The team of law officials all jumped into action, arresting the three suspects—two of whom were delivery people and one the mastermind. It was then discovered that the men who collected the goods were not fully involved in the crime.
Instead, the mastermind would order the goods and then employ the men to go and collect the items. Allegedly, he would not provide them with the full details of what he had done.
Investigations to establish everyone’s role in the crime, is underway. Additionally, Ghafoor highlights that due to the way the mastermind carried out the crime, being able to provide proof of payments to the business, it is speculated that this is not the first time he had carried out such an act.
“If any business has been affected by a similar crime, they are encouraged to approach the Newcastle SAPS so that it can be determined if it is linked to the same suspect,” Ghafoor concludes.
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