| Multi-task team pounces on fraud syndicate in Odendaalsrus | |
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| Date Published: | 2026/04/01 |
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Media Statement ODENDAALSRUS - A multi-task police team arrested 10 suspects comprising of one female and nine males for alleged fraud in Odendaalsrus. This is after a 47-year-old female applied for a bank loan using fraudulent documents. It is reported that on Wednesday, 01 April 2026, police were alerted to a suspicious loan application at a financial institution in Odendaalsrus. The bank manager informed the police that the loan application for the amount of R250 000 was provisionally approved and awaiting security checks. It was, however, discovered that the salary advice submitted by the applicant was fraudulent. The information was operationalised between the financial institution and the police. Upon the return of the applicant to the financial institution, preliminary investigations were conducted and revealed that all three salary advices supplied by the female suspect were falsified. Further investigations revealed that the female was working with a syndicate alleged to be from the Gauteng Province and had already defrauded several other financial institutions. A team comprising of Odendaalsrus Visible Police Unit, Detective Branch, Welkom K9 Unit, and Lejweleputswa District Highway Patrol was mobilised. The description of all the suspects and vehicles they were using was obtained and operationalised. Following a thorough observation, the two vehicles matching the description were spotted with the drivers inside both vehicles. The other suspects were spotted in the park and were subsequently apprehended by police. The one driver who managed to get away was ultimately traced and arrested in Welkom. The suspects were arrested, and police confiscated several bank cards that were found in their possession. The two vehicles, a silver Suzuki 7 seater and a white Toyota Tazz, were also confiscated and booked in as evidence. The matter will be investigated by the Welkom Commercial Crimes Unit. On assuming his role as the Provincial Commissioner of the Police in Free State, Lieutenant General Thabang Solomon Lesia identified organised crime as one of the priorities. "We will employ all uncompromised efforts to fight organised crime in the Province," declared the General. The 10 suspects, aged between 23 and 49, are expected to make their first appearance in Odendaalsrus Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday, 07 April 2026, on Fraud charges. Ends
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Lt Col Thabo Covane
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