A 32-year-old petrol attendant from Swaziland is set to appear in the Middelburg Specialized Commercial Crime Court on Tuesday for violating the Cybercrime Act 19/2020. The Hawks’ Serious Commercial Crime Investigation team arrested the suspect on Monday at the Ultra City N4 Middelburg petrol station.
“During an internal audit, ABSA/FNB bank card investigators had a suspicion of a skimming device amongst the petrol attendants at the garage,” stated Captain Dineo Lucy Sekgotodi. “Information was escalated to the Hawks for further investigation and it was operationalized.”
A joint operation between the Hawks and bank investigators uncovered the skimming device in the suspect’s possession while he was on duty. “The suspect who was on duty, was found in possession of the skimming device. He was arrested and detained pending his first Court appearance,” Sekgotodi said.
While the full extent of the losses is still under investigation, authorities estimate the potential loss at around R400,000. The case has been transferred to the Middelburg Serious Commercial Crime unit for further probing as the investigation continues.
