Latest news with #WesBank
The Citizen
15 hours ago
- The Citizen
Hawks arrest second suspect in R1.3m vehicle fraud case
WesBank processed and approved the application based on the falsified financial records submitted by the accused. Hawks investigators have arrested a second suspect in connection with a sophisticated vehicle financing fraud that saw criminals walk away with a Ford Ranger Raptor worth more than R1.3 million. The 27-year-old suspect was apprehended in Groblersdal on Saturday,26 July 2025, by a joint operation involving Hawks' Serious Commercial Crime Investigation, Hawks' Serious Corruption Investigation and the Sekhukhune Tracing Team. Fraudulent application approved by WesBank The elaborate scheme began in April 2023 when the primary accused submitted a fraudulent application to WesBank for vehicle financing. Police spokesperson Warrant Officer Lethunya Mmuroa stated that the accused attempted to purchase the high-end Ford Ranger Raptor through a financing arrangement. 'The accused allegedly attached the bank statement and employer's payslip as requested,' Mmuroa stated. The fraudulent documentation was sophisticated enough to pass initial scrutiny. WesBank processed and approved the application based on the falsified financial records submitted by the accused. ALSO READ: City Power denies claims its headquarters raided by Hawks Vehicle collected with accomplices Once approval was secured, the dealership contacted the accused to inform him of his successful application. Mmuroa said the accused travelled to the Polokwane dealership to collect the luxury vehicle, accompanied by two male accomplices who are now suspects in the case. The trio successfully took possession of the Ford Ranger Raptor and left the dealership. However, their scheme began to unravel when payment obligations came due. Payment defaults trigger Hawks' investigation Problems emerged when the accused failed to make the required payments to WesBank. 'The bank tried to contact him without success,' Mmuroa stated. The lack of payment and inability to reach the accused prompted WesBank to conduct a comprehensive forensic audit of the transaction. ALSO READ: Man sentenced for defrauding Amtola Water Board in tender scam Forensic audit exposes fraud The forensic investigation revealed the extent of the deception. 'WesBank conducted a forensic audit and noticed that the accused used fraudulent documents during his application,' Mmuroa explained. He said the bank immediately reported the matter to Hawks' Serious Commercial Crime Investigation in Polokwane for assistance with the criminal investigation. First arrest leads to second suspect Hawks investigators launched their probe, which resulted in the arrest of the primary accused on 2 January 2024. However, the investigation did not end there. Further investigative work revealed the involvement of additional suspects. Detectives determined that the recently arrested 27-year-old suspect had actively assisted the primary accused in defrauding WesBank and collecting the vehicle from the dealership. The newly arrested suspect was scheduled to appear before the Specialised Commercial Crimes Court sitting in Polokwane on Monday, 28 July 2025. ALSO READ: Former prosecutor faces R1.1m fraud charges over fake law degree Hawks' leadership welcomes progress The provincial head of the Hawks in Limpopo has expressed satisfaction with the progress of the investigation. Major General (Advocate) Gopz Govender welcomed the arrest of the second suspect. Mmuroa said Govender 'is confident that the Hawks' SCCI team will crack this case'. READ NEXT: Chinese nationals fined R400k for abalone worth almost R2m
IOL News
19 hours ago
- Business
- IOL News
Fraudulent purchase of R1. 3 million Ford Ranger Raptor: Limpopo man remanded behind bars
It is alleged that during April 2023, suspects including Jason Khomotjo Rantho applied for motor vehicle finance at WesBank using fraudulent documents to purchase a Ford Ranger Raptor valued over R1.3 million Image: Hawks/IOL A 27-year-old Limpopo man, Jason Khomotjo Rantho, was remanded behind bars after he was arrested by the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, also known as the Hawks, for fraud during the purchase of a top-of-the-range Ford Raptor. Rantho appeared in court on Monday after he was nabbed by the Hawks' serious commercial crime investigation unit and the Sekhukhune tracing team at Groblersdal in Limpopo. 'It is alleged that during April 2023, the accused applied for motor vehicle finance at WesBank to purchase a Ford Ranger Raptor valued at over R1.3 million. 'The accused allegedly attached the bank statement and the employer's payslip as requested,' said Warrant Officer Lethunya Mmuroa, spokesperson for the Hawks in Limpopo. 'The application was processed and approved.' The dealership then contacted the 27-year-old man and notified him that his application had been successful. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad Loading 'He went to the dealership in Polokwane to collect the car, accompanied by two men who are also suspects,' said Mmuroa. As days went by, the 27-year-old man failed to make the monthly installments for the vehicle. The bank tried to contact him without success. 'WesBank conducted a forensic audit and noticed that the accused used fraudulent documents during his application. The matter was reported to the Hawks' serious commercial crime investigation in Polokwane for assistance,' said Mmuroa. Investigations were conducted by the Hawks, which led to the arrest of the first accused person in the matter in January 2024. 'Further investigations revealed that the arrested suspect, aged 27, assisted the accused to defraud and collect the vehicle from the dealership,' said Mmuroa. It is alleged that during April 2023, suspects including Jason Khomotjo Rantho applied for motor vehicle finance at WesBank using fraudulent documents to purchase a Ford Ranger Raptor valued over R1.3 million Image: Hawks Meanwhile, provincial head of the Hawks in Limpopo, Major General Gopz Govender has welcomed the arrest of the suspect. In 2023, IOL reported that a Limpopo woman, aged 22, was sentenced to pay R10 000 or spend two years in jail after she used fraudulent documents to buy a Hyundai Atos. At the time, Hawks in Limpopo, Lieutenant-Colonel Matimba Maluleke said the Hyundai Atos valued at over R340 000 was financed by Wesbank in 2022. 'Miranda Thandaza Lubisi was sentenced for fraud by the Polokwane Specialised Commercial Crimes Court on 12 May, 2023,' Matimba said. 'On 16 September, 2022, the accused visited a vehicle dealership in Tzaneen and showed interest in a Hyundai Atos valued at R346,122. The accused was assisted by the salesperson at the dealership to apply for vehicle finance that was later approved by Wesbank.' Maluleke said the vehicle was delivered to Lubisi. 'After a few months, the bank was audited and it was discovered that the accused used fraudulent documents to apply for vehicle finance. The case of fraud was opened at Tzaneen police station and transferred to the Hawks' serious commercial crime investigation unit for further handling,' he said. A thorough investigation was conducted, and consequently, the accused was arrested and charged with fraud. After a few court appearances, she was granted bail until she was convicted and sentenced to pay R10,000 or two years' imprisonment,' Maluleke said. 'She was further sentenced to five years imprisonment which is suspended for five years on condition that she does not commit similar offences during the suspension period.' IOL News
The Star
a day ago
- The Star
Limpopo man purchased R1. 3 million Ford Ranger Raptor with fake payslips, and vanished
Jonisayi Maromo | Published 8 hours ago The Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, also known as the Hawks, has arrested a 27-year-old Limpopo man for fraud after he allegedly acquired a top-of-the-range Ford Raptor fraudulently. The 27-year-old man who cannot be identified until he appears in court was nabbed by the Hawks' serious commercial crime investigation unit and the Sekhukhune tracing team at Groblersdal in Limpopo. 'It is alleged that during April 2023, the accused applied for motor vehicle finance at WesBank to purchase a Ford Ranger Raptor valued at over R1.3 million. 'The accused allegedly attached the bank statement and the employer's payslip as requested,' said Warrant Officer Lethunya Mmuroa, spokesperson for the Hawks in Limpopo. 'The application was processed and approved.' The dealership then contacted the 27-year-old man and notified him that his application had been successful. 'He went to the dealership in Polokwane to collect the car, accompanied by two men who are also suspects,' said Mmuroa. As days went by, the 27-year-old man failed to make the monthly installments for the vehicle. The bank tried to contact him without success. 'WesBank conducted a forensic audit and noticed that the accused used fraudulent documents during his application. The matter was reported to the Hawks' serious commercial crime investigation in Polokwane for assistance,' said Mmuroa. Investigations were conducted by the Hawks, which led to the arrest of the first accused person in the matter in January 2024. 'Further investigations revealed that the arrested suspect, aged 27, assisted the accused to defraud and collect the vehicle from the dealership,' said Mmuroa. 'The suspect is expected to appear before the Specialised Commercial Crimes Court, sitting in Polokwane, on 28 July 2025.' Meanwhile, provincial head of the Hawks in Limpopo, Major General Gopz Govender has welcomed the arrest of the suspect. In 2023, IOL reported that a Limpopo woman, aged 22, was sentenced to pay R10 000 or spend two years in jail after she used fraudulent documents to buy a Hyundai Atos. At the time, Hawks in Limpopo, Lieutenant-Colonel Matimba Maluleke said the Hyundai Atos valued at over R340 000 was financed by Wesbank in 2022. 'Miranda Thandaza Lubisi was sentenced for fraud by the Polokwane Specialised Commercial Crimes Court on 12 May, 2023,' Matimba said. 'On 16 September, 2022, the accused visited a vehicle dealership in Tzaneen and showed interest in a Hyundai Atos valued at R346 122. The accused was assisted by the salesperson at the dealership to apply for vehicle finance that was later approved by Wesbank.' Maluleke said the vehicle was delivered to Lubisi. 'After a few months, the bank was audited and it was discovered that the accused used fraudulent documents to apply for vehicle finance. The case of fraud was opened at Tzaneen police station and transferred to the Hawks' serious commercial crime investigation unit for further handling,' he said. A thorough investigation was conducted, and consequently, the accused was arrested and charged with fraud. After a few court appearances, she was granted bail until she was convicted and sentenced to pay R10 000 or two years' imprisonment,' Maluleke said. 'She was further sentenced to five years imprisonment which is suspended for five years on condition that she does not commit similar offences during the suspension period.' [email protected] IOL News
The Citizen
a day ago
- The Citizen
Polokwane car scam: Man drives off in R1.3m Ford Raptor
POLOKWANE – The Limpopo Hawks have arrested a 27-year-old man in Groblersdal in connection with a multi-million rand vehicle fraud case dating back to April 2023. According to the Hawks' provincial spokesperson Warrant Officer Lethunya Mmuroa , the arrest was made on Saturday (July 26) by members of the Hawks' Serious Commercial Crime Investigation Unit (SCCI), the Hawks' Serious Corruption Investigation Unit and the Sekhukhune Tracing Team. Mmuroa said the suspect allegedly applied for vehicle finance through WesBank using forged documents, including a bank statement and a payslip, as requested. The application was approved and the suspect, accompanied by two men, collected a Ford Ranger Raptor valued at over R1.3m from a dealership in Polokwane. 'The accused failed to make payments and the bank tried to contact him without success. WesBank conducted a forensic audit and noticed that the accused used fraudulent documents during his application. The matter was reported to the SCCI in Polokwane for assistance,' his statement read. Mmuroa said an investigation led to the arrest of the first accused on January 2, 2024, while further investigations revealed the 27-year-old suspect assisted in orchestrating the fraud and helped collect the vehicle from the dealership. 'The suspect appeared before the Specialised Commercial Crimes Court in Polokwane today.' The provincial Hawks head Major General (Adv) Gopz Govender welcomed the arrest of the suspect and is confident that the SCCI team will crack the case.
The South African
a day ago
- Business
- The South African
Limpopo man arrested for alleged R1.3 million Ford Raptor fraud
The Hawks have arrested a 27-year-old man from Limpopo for allegedly using fraudulent documents to purchase a top-of-the-range Ford Ranger Raptor worth over R1.3 million. The Hawks' Serious Commercial Crime Investigation Unit, in collaboration with the Sekhukhune Tracing Team, apprehended the suspect in Groblersdal. Authorities are withholding his name until he appears in court. According to Hawks spokesperson Warrant Officer Lethunya Mmuroa, the suspect submitted a motor vehicle finance application to WesBank in April 2023. 'He allegedly attached a forged bank statement and a fake employer payslip to support the application,' said Mmuroa. WesBank approved the application, and the suspect was contacted by the dealership in Polokwane to collect the vehicle. He arrived at the dealership accompanied by two other men, who are also under investigation. After collecting the vehicle, the suspect failed to meet his monthly payment obligations. WesBank's attempts to reach him were unsuccessful. A forensic audit later revealed that the documentation submitted during the finance application was fraudulent. The bank reported the matter to the Hawks' Serious Commercial Crime Investigation Unit in Polokwane. In January 2024, investigators arrested a man who allegedly helped the suspect obtain and collect the vehicle. 'The investigation confirmed that the 27-year-old suspect worked with others to defraud WesBank and secure the Ford Ranger Raptor,' said Mmuroa. The suspect is expected to appear before the Specialised Commercial Crimes Court in Polokwane on 28 July 2025. Limpopo Hawks provincial head, Major General Gopz Govender, welcomed the arrest and praised the ongoing efforts to combat financial crime. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
