A man suspected of being part of a multimillion-dollar vehicle license fraud syndicate has been arrested in Parys, Free State, following a three-year investigation.
The suspect was arrested on Tuesday evening during an intelligence operation involving the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC), the South African Police Service’s crime intelligence unit and the Hawks.
According to the RTMC, investigators received information that the suspect was allegedly using the National Traffic Information System (NaTIS) from his private residence to fraudulently assist vehicle owners in renewing their driver’s licenses.
When officers arrived at the home, they reportedly found a computer with the NaTIS login screen, with a user number and password already entered and ready to process transactions.
Investigators also found NaTIS printouts and reports from several provinces, black flash books and documents containing vehicle registration numbers, NaTIS login details and identity numbers.
The RTMC said the suspect, believed to be an IT specialist, allegedly involved former officials of the transport department, current NaTIS users from several provinces and officials linked to the national transport department.
The RTMC said the arrest was a major breakthrough in the investigation into the syndicate, which has been under investigation for the past three years. She expects more arrests to follow
The suspect allegedly told investigators that NaTIS user numbers had been purchased from officials using memory sticks. He also alleged that the syndicate operates in southern Gauteng and the Free State, and accesses NaTIS through login details provided by contacts in each province.
According to the RTMC, the suspect further alleged that the group is targeting driver’s license testing centers where biometric systems have not yet been installed.
The syndicate could also declare vehicles roadworthy using the credentials of private vehicle testing stations.
Police seized documents, an HP laptop and desktop computers during the raid.
The RTMC said the arrest was a major breakthrough in the investigation into the syndicate, which has been under investigation for the past three years. She expects more arrests to follow.
Advocate for the CEO of RTMC Makhosini Msibi praised the investigations and urged them to continue their work. He called on the team to redouble their efforts and ensure that all others involved in such syndicates were arrested.
The investigations continue. The suspect is expected to appear in the Parys court on Thursday.
TimesLIVE
Gugulethu Mashinini
www.timeslive.co.za