A woman wanted for fraud arrested in Edgecombe

On Tuesday, June 18, a woman was arrested at a car dealership in Mount Edgecombe, north of Durban. She is alleged to be involved in fraud and uttering and theft of motor vehicles. It is believed that she is also wanted in other provinces on allegations of theft.

The woman, who allegedly resided in Gauteng, was apprehended at a car dealership in Mount Edgecombe, on Tuesday. She had attempted to purchase another car using fake documents and a stolen identity card. She had apparently arrived in an e-hailing service. She went to the car dealership and produced the illegal documents to the finance office in order to obtain the car. However, she was arrested before proceeding further, said spokesman for Reaction Unit South Africa (RUSA), Mr Prem Balram.

Several law enforcement agencies and detectives from KwaZulu-Natal and other provinces in South Africa made contact with the private security company on Wednesday morning, said Mr Balram.

“The officers were seeking further details and information on the female arrested in an operation between RUSA officers, SAPS Verulam and Wesbank Forensic Division on Tuesday afternoon,” said Mr Balram. “It is believed that the female is sought nationally for fraud and uttering and theft of motor vehicles. It is alleged that her modus operandi was to provide fictitious information and fraudulent documents to financial institutions. She would use names of females in employ of blue chip companies and buy vehicles without their knowledge. The victims were only made aware when they received summons via the Sheriff of the Court for non payment and repossession of the vehicles.”

Mr Balram added that information was also received that the woman was believed to pitch up at car washes and claim high value vehicles as her own. She would retrieve the keys and drive off in these luxury vehicles. The tracking devices would be removed before the vehicle would be reported as sought after, said Mr Balram.

“When she was arrested, fake documents were found in her possession. RUSA and the SAPS questioned the woman regarding the fake documents,” Mr Balram said. “She claimed to work for a specialised police unit in Johannesburg and was acting on instructions from police officers to apprehend fraud suspects. She provided names of officers that did not exist, she was then arrested.”

The woman is currently in custody at the holding cells at SAPS Verulam in KwaZulu-Natal. The investigation is continuing to uncover the extent of her fraudulent activities.