Two suspects, aged 35 and 38, have been arrested after they were allegedly linked to a series of sophisticated ATM scams in the Western Cape with an estimated loss of R7 million.
Easter Cape police spokesperson, Lieutenant Colonel Avele Fumba, said the duo was intercepted near Peddie on Monday following a multi-disciplinary intelligence-driven operation led by the East London Serious Organised Crime Investigation team.
"The suspects are believed to have been allegedly using a specialised software to withdraw cash illegally from ATMs serviced by Fidelity Cash Solutions. It is reported that one of the suspects will allegedly disguise himself as a Fidelity security guard, armed with a rifle, to allegedly create the illusion of legitimate ATM servicing," said Fumba.
Fumba said the crime committed by the duo prompted the Western Cape police under the commercial crimes unit to activate the Hawks in the Eastern Cape after suspicions that they had moved to the province.
"Acting swiftly, further information revealed that the Hawks tracked the suspects to a guest house in East London where they discovered that they already left the site, travelling in a white Toyota Fortuner towards Peddie. The multi-disciplinary team intercepted the vehicle on the N2 highway, leading to their arrest," explained Fumba.
Fumba added that a search of the car uncovered a laptop which allegedly contained fraudulent ATM-access software and other crucial evidence.
The suspects will appear in the the East London Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday before being transferred to the Western Cape where they will face the charges.
Meanwhile, the provincial head of the Hawks in Eastern Cape, Major General Mboiki Obed Ngwenya assured the public that the unit remains committed to dismantling criminal syndicates and ensuring that those responsible for economic crimes are brought to justice.