Pretoria - Communities in Winterveldt and Hammanskraal, north of Pretoria, have been warned by the police to remain vigilant in the face of growing online scams targeting residents.
The warning comes after the SAPS Organised Crime investigation team, working alongside the Highway Patrol and K9 Unit, arrested three suspects for suspected armed robbery.
According to police spokesperson Brigadier Brenda Muridili, the three were apprehended after allegedly robbing a couple that had responded to an online advertisement for CDs.
Muridili said arrangements were made for the couple to meet the person selling CDs in Winterveldt. On arrival at the location, the couple met a man who took them to another location where they were then robbed of an undisclosed amount of money, cellphones and bank cards.
The police said after the incident was reported the case was moved from the Loate police station and transferred to the provincial organised crime team. The team subsequently conducted a sting operation that led to the arrests of the suspects. The group is due to appear in the Ga-Rankuwa Magistrate’s Court to face charges of armed robbery.
Muridili said another incident which occurred in November involved a buyer who was robbed after responding to an online advert for a vehicle.
The victims reported that they had responded to an advert for a vehicle in the area of Dilopye, Hammanskraal, and contacted the seller. The alleged seller fled with the victim’s cash and the vehicle that had just been purchased.
Police said the same group of suspects allegedly placed another advert for the same vehicle and the victim noticed it and informed the investigating officer.
The suspects were then traced and arrested as they were about to scam and rob another unsuspecting victim.
Provincial police commissioner Lieutenant-General Elias Mawela commended the members for the arrest.
Police have also called on anyone with information that may assist them to make further arrests to contact their nearest police station.
Pretoria News