An online dating scam and a man driving an upmarket car registered as a cheaper one kept the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks), stationed in Bellville, busy for a week.
In the first case, the Hawks’ Serious Commercial Crime team arrested Karabo Alexandra Moses (23) for her alleged involvement in an online dating scam.
This comes after a complaint was lodged about her receiving almost a million rands in an alleged online dating scam. Lieut Col Siyabulela Vukubi, provincial spokesperson of the Hawks, said the investigation revealed an amount of R750 000 was deposited into her bank account by the complainant.
“Moses is directly linked to a case of an online dating scam where Puis Emokpe (49), who is regarded as the kingpin, is still in custody after his arrest in June 2022.”
Arrested in the Northern Cape, he is accused of swindling unsuspecting targets, hoping to find love online, of at least R3 million.
At least three others connected to Emokpe have since been arrested.
Moses appeared in the Wynberg Magistrate’s Court on Thursday and is now expected to join Emokpe on 28 September in the Bellville Specialised Commercial Crimes Court.
Wrong car
On Friday a man was arrested after driving an Alfa Romeo Giulia registered as a Toyota Corolla.
“[He was arrested] on suspicion of forgery, uttering, possession of possibly stolen property as well as contravention of the National Credit Act,” Vukubi said.
He said the Hawks received information that the suspect, who is involved in a case currently before the Specialised Commercial Crimes Court in Bellville, was driving an Alfa, the subject of vehicle-finance fraud.
The team spotted the vehicle on Friday, did background checks and found out the registration plate displayed on the vehicle and on the licence disc was actually allocated to a Toyota Corolla.
The Corolla has been registered in the name of the Woodford Group (Pty) Ltd situated in Umhlanga, Durban since 10 March and financed by Wesbank.
“The vehicle identification number (VIN) on the vehicle also corresponded with the information displayed on the suspected false license disk.”
On further investigation the Hawks found out the car’s VIN was allocated to another registration number, which is registered to someone else and financed by Absa. “Enquiries were made at ABSA and they confirmed the vehicle was financed by them.”
The suspect was arrested after his appearance in court for an unrelated matter and appeared in the Bellville Magistrate’s Court on 11 September.
