Low’s Creek – Two fraudsters, who were arrested for using stolen bank cards to pay toll fees in a scam involving truck drivers, pleaded guilty in Low’s Creek Periodical Court, in Mpumalanga.
The accused, 32-year-old Erick Thulani Phiri, and 30-year-old Lourens Zitha were sentenced on Thursday, (19 September 2024).
Phiri was sentenced to three months in prison with an option of a fine of R 3 000.
Zitha was sentenced to six months in prison or a fine of R 6 000.
Narrating how the two fraudsters were arrested Mpumalanga Hawks spokesperson Captain Dineo Sekgotodi said law enforcers followed up on a tip-off regarding the suspects who were using stolen or counterfeit bank cards.
The accused were swiping the stolen bank cards to enable truck and motor vehicle drivers to pass through toll gates in exchange for money.
The Hawks’ Mbombela-based Serious Commercial Crime Investigation, FNB, and Nedbank forensic investigators swooped on the suspects.
“During the operation, accused Erick Thulani Phiri, was searched and found in possession of FNB and Nedbank credit cards which were reported stolen from the institutions, prejudicing and causing an actual loss amount of R 16 314.76,” said Captain Sekgotodi.
“During the search of Lourens Zitha, he was found in possession of an FNB debit bank card and toll gate transaction slips, prejudicing and causing an actual loss of R 19 620.00.
“The same accused was found in possession of stolen FNB and Nedbank credit cards.”
Commenting on the arrests and sentencing Mpumalanga Head of the Hawks Major General Gerber warned that law enforcers will not condone criminal acts.
He commended the law enforcers for arresting the fraudsters.
