NORTHERN CAPE – A 37 year old accused, Faiz Nordien, was convicted and sentenced by Kimberley Serious Commercial Crime Court on Thursday, 26 September 2024 for fraud and forgery.
Nordien was arrested during February 2019 by the Hawks Serious Commercial Crime Investigation team.
During April 2018, the accused did unlawfully and intentionally steal a Ford Figo vehicle to the value of R 116 699.72. The vehicle which is lawfully owned by the bank was presented by the accused at a pawn shop in form of security to secure a loan. The accused presented fraudulent registration documents and a vehicle to a pawn shop owner which was later sold to the complainant due to Mr Nordien failure to pay off his debt.
An intensive investigation by the Hawks Serious Commercial Crime Investigation team led to the successful conviction.
The accused was found guilty by the aforementioned court and sentenced as follows:
Count 1: (3) years direct imprisonment and on count 2: sentenced to two years’ imprisonment.
He will serve an effective five years’ imprisonment.
Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation Provincial Head in the Northern Cape, Major General Steven Mabuela congratulated his members including the prosecution team for great conviction.
What is Fraud? “Fraud” is any activity that relies on deception in order to achieve a gain. Fraud becomes a crime when it is a “knowing misrepresentation of the truth or concealment of a material fact to induce another to act to his or her detriment” (Black’s Law Dictionary). In other words, if you lie in order to deprive a person or organization of their money or property, you’re committing fraud.