A 44-year-old male was arrested by the Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD) IIOC Undercover Reaction Unit for fraud and extortion at Southgate Mall, south of Johannesburg.
On Thursday afternoon, 19 January 2023, officers received a complaint of a suspect who was promising members of public jobs at Correctional Services and extorting them of their money at the Southgate mall food court.
Officers proceeded to the above-mentioned location after receiving the description of the suspect. Officers spotted and observed the suspect who was sitting with two males and two females who were filling in forms.
The officers approached the suspect who had application forms, academic qualifications, and curriculum vitae of members of the public. When questioned about the forms, he alluded that he is a member of the Correctional Services and had a right to have the forms and collect them from members of the public.
Officers then proceeded to the Johannesburg Correctional Services Department with the suspect to enquire about the application forms. They were informed by senior officials of the Correctional Services Department that the forms can only be submitted by the applicants in person at the Correctional Services facilities, and no one is allowed to recruit people at malls.
It was further alleged that the applicants were meant to give the suspect money after he had submitted their application forms.
The suspect was arrested and detained at Mondeor SAPS where a case docket was opened for further investigation.
The JMPD Acting Chief of Police Angie Mokasi commended the officers for their swift action in apprehending the suspect and saving unsuspecting victims from falling prey to the swindler.
Issued by the Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department Communications Unit
