Media Statement
Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation
(HAWKS)
MPUMALANGA - A 32-year-old Swati national, a petrol attendant, is expected to appear before the Middelburg Speialised Commercial Crime Court on Tuesday, 5 March 2024 for contravention of the Cybercrime Act 19/2020.
His appearance is subsequent to his arrested by the Hawks Middelburg based Serious Commercial Crime Investigation on Monday, 4 March 2024 at Ultra City N4 Middelburg.
It is alleged that during an internal audit ABSA / FNB bank card investigators had a suspicion of a skimming device amongst the petrol attendants at the garage.
Information was escalated to the Hawks for further investigation and it was operationalised. The team comprising of the Hawks and bank investigators conducted a search and seizure operation.
During the search, the suspect who was on duty, was found in possession of the skimming device. He was arrested and detained pending his first Court appearance.
The case was transferred to the Middelburg Serious Commercial Crime for further investigation.
The value is still being determined. It is currently estimated at R400 000-00 potential loss. Investigation continues.
