Tebogo Msimanga |
Four suspects aged between 32 and 39 are expected to appear before Kuruman Magistrate Court on Monday, 29 August 2022. They were arrested on Friday, 26 August 2022 by the Hawks Serious Commercial Crime Investigation team with the assistance of the community for allegedly defrauding members of the community.
Northern Cape Hawks Spokesperson Tebogo Thebe said it is alleged that between July and August 2022, these suspects operated a fraudulent and unregistered company. “They approached members of the community who were either retired or had lost jobs in the mines and promised them that they would assist them to fastrack their claims from Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) or pension payouts for an upfront fee of R1300”.
It is further alleged that for those who could not afford the prescribed upfront fee, they will deduct 30% of the payout when their claim/s have been finalised.
Thebe said members of the community reported this matter to the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation whilst the investigation was still underway members of the community brought the suspects to the Hawks office on Friday, 26 August 2022 and they were arrested based on available evidence.
