Fraud syndicate checked

2003-02-18 23:50

Sarie van Niekerke

Daveyton - An investigation into one of the most successful and largest cheque-fraud syndicates operating in the East Rand took a dramatic turn when the alleged mastermind behind the operation was arrested in Daveyton near Benoni at the weekend.

Police have been trying to nab the syndicate for more than three years.

The police's commercial crimes units in Pretoria and Germiston made the first breakthrough on Friday when Aaron Sindane, 28, brother of the alleged leader of the syndicate, January Mthethwa Sindane, 41, was arrested at his home in Springs. January Sindane was arrested at his house in Daveyton on Saturday. "The alleged leader of the syndicate apparently moved house and office regularly in an attempt to escape arrest," Superintendent Andy Pieke said.

The syndicate allegedly printed top quality duplicate or fraudulent cheques. The cheques were used to withdraw money from existing accounts. The criminals apparently used the details of real account holders when visiting the banks.

"The syndicate used so-called runners with false identity documents to withdraw money from banks. They apparently changed their modus operandi on a regular basis in order not to arouse suspicion."

Pieke said police are still not sure how the syndicate managed to obtain original blank cheque paper of the highest quality from several banks.

The exact amount of the losses sustained by banks is not yet known, but it will probably be in excess of R1m.

Police confiscated five laptop computers, one personal computer, three printers and a scanner during the arrests. They also found a number of bank cheques belonging to several account holders.

Pieke said the syndicate may have operated in all the big cities across the country and police hope to arrest more members of the syndicate soon. The brothers will appear in court on Monday.

- Beeld