PETER RAMOTHWALA
The elite crime-busting unit, the Hawks, have stepped up their search for the elusive banking crime syndicate ringleader, Mduduzi Zakhele Nhlapo (aka Zakes or Big Boss).
It is alleged the suspect and his accomplices have siphoned millions of rand from banks and individuals through phishing.
Phishing is the fraudulent practice of sending emails purporting to be from reputable companies in order to induce individuals to reveal personal information, such as passwords and credit card numbers.
The suspect has been evading the police since 2011 after several fraud cases were opened by major banks in Midrand, Westonaria, Fairland and other parts of the country.
The Hawks, in conjunction with the banking industry and mobile service providers, have been unsuccessfully tracing Nhlapo in relation to a string of bank-related offences.
Nhlapo heads the sophisticated syndicate who obtains clients’ profiles from banks. This information is then used to do SIM swaps and to transfer funds via mobile banking from victims’ accounts.
These crimes are often committed through the assistance of corrupt bank officials and agents in an organised fashion.
Hawks spokesperson Capt Paul Ramaloko said mobile service providers and banks have put security measures in place. “But with the assistance of corrupt bank officials and mobile network service providers, the syndicate always finds a way to access clients’ banking information.
The syndicate always changes their modus operandi when they are detected and some are arrested.”
Ramaloko said the evasive Nhlapo is also a drag racer and belongs to a group called Street Fighters. He is suspected of doing his rounds in Gauteng, especially the Vaal and Soweto areas.
The Hawks strongly believe that Zakhele’s arrest will play a pivotal role in closing down this syndicate.
From November 2011 up until now, Nlhapo is the main role player in the mobile banking fraud doing unlawful SIM swaps by obtaining clients profiles who applied for loans from banks.
He provides the client’s details to the rest of the syndicate and coordinates the plan of action.
Ramaloko said: “The target knows that we are looking for him and has distanced himself by using his counterparts to do the SIM swaps. He also changes handsets and is always on the move in Gauteng’s Vaal and Soweto areas.
For any information which may lead to Nhlapo’s whereabouts, please contact the Hawks investigating officer Lt-Col Links on
0714812658.
peterr@thenewage.co.za