MPUMALANGA – A 48-year-old man was arrested by the Middelburg based Serious Commercial Crime Investigation on Monday, 14 October 2024, as an additional accused in a fraudulent card skimming case. The accused handed himself over after a warrant of arrest was authorised by the court. The first accused in the matter Sfiso Masuku (32), Swati national was arrested on 05 March 2024 for contravention of the Cybercrime Act, Act 19 of 2020.
Investigation by the Hawks, revealed that the additional accused was involved in the card skimming activities that were occurring at a fuel station where motorists were using their bank cards to pay for refilling fuel.
It is alleged that ABSA and First National Bank investigators suspected a skimming device was used by the petrol attendants. Information was escalated to the Hawks for further investigation. Search and seizure operation was planned and conducted by the Hawks and bank investigators. During the search, Masuku who was on duty as petrol attendant, was found in possession of the skimming device. He was arrested and appeared before court on several occasions and was released on R10 000.00 bail.
The accused is expected to make his first appearance before the Middelburg District court on Tuesday, 15 October 2024.
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.