News / Africa
South African Home Affairs man nabbed in ID scam
29 Dec 2010 at 13:13hrs | Views
A department of home affairs official, a bank clerk and 10 members of a fraud ring have been arrested in connection with fake IDs - and more arrests are expected soon.
Nabbing the government official has been described as an important breakthrough in white-collar crime in the Western Cape.
Syndicate fraud unit chief Billy Loubscher said false identity documents, using original blanks from the department of home affairs, were used in most scams.
The arrest of the 12 came after syndicate fraud detectives were called to Tyger Valley Centre to question a couple who had tendered a dubious credit card to pay for clothes.
After interrogating the 41-year-old woman and her 24-year-old male friend, detectives realised that they could be members of a fraud gang using fake ID documents, dud salary slips and false employment references to open cheque accounts and obtain credit and loans.
Loubscher said what started off as a run-of-the-mill call-out at about 7pm on Thursday had turned into an all-night operation which netted the 12 suspects, effectively nipping an emerging fraud gang in the bud.
After arresting the couple in the fashion outlet, detectives were led to the home affairs department's Bellville branch for a late-night meeting with an official who was to collect payment for fake IDs.
As arranged, at 10pm the official arrived on the pavement in front of his office.
Loubscher said the official physically collapsed when police closed in on him.
The next arrest was minutes later at the home of a St George's Mall bank official.
The banker was believed to have been responsible for processing the credit card applications and other "banking duties".
Loubscher said his detectives followed up clues and information which eventually led them to the homes of eight more suspects.
Several fake ID books, temporary ID documents and fake salary slips were confiscated.
The suspects were refused bail in the Bellville magistrate's court remanded to Pollsmoor prison.
Nabbing the government official has been described as an important breakthrough in white-collar crime in the Western Cape.
Syndicate fraud unit chief Billy Loubscher said false identity documents, using original blanks from the department of home affairs, were used in most scams.
The arrest of the 12 came after syndicate fraud detectives were called to Tyger Valley Centre to question a couple who had tendered a dubious credit card to pay for clothes.
After interrogating the 41-year-old woman and her 24-year-old male friend, detectives realised that they could be members of a fraud gang using fake ID documents, dud salary slips and false employment references to open cheque accounts and obtain credit and loans.
Loubscher said what started off as a run-of-the-mill call-out at about 7pm on Thursday had turned into an all-night operation which netted the 12 suspects, effectively nipping an emerging fraud gang in the bud.
After arresting the couple in the fashion outlet, detectives were led to the home affairs department's Bellville branch for a late-night meeting with an official who was to collect payment for fake IDs.
As arranged, at 10pm the official arrived on the pavement in front of his office.
Loubscher said the official physically collapsed when police closed in on him.
The next arrest was minutes later at the home of a St George's Mall bank official.
The banker was believed to have been responsible for processing the credit card applications and other "banking duties".
Loubscher said his detectives followed up clues and information which eventually led them to the homes of eight more suspects.
Several fake ID books, temporary ID documents and fake salary slips were confiscated.
The suspects were refused bail in the Bellville magistrate's court remanded to Pollsmoor prison.
Source - Sapa
