HAWKS RECOVER STOLEN MONEY
NORTHERN CAPE- The Hawks Serious Commercial Crime Investigation team assisted by Priority Crime Specialised Investigation team recovered an amount exceeding R4 million from approximately R11 million that was defrauded from Shop-to-shop (Pty) Ltd.
The recovery emanates from an arrest of three Bangladesh nationals namely Aminul Islam (39), Ullah Foji (36) and Akter Atika (23). The trio were charged for Fraud and Money Laundering. Allegations are that in the period between 01- 03 March 2023, the accused tampered with the drop-safe used at their shop. They allegedly dropped an amount of R707 040 repeatedly thereby making their drop safe app account linked to the safe to be credited with approximately R11 Million rands. A total of R11 million rand was immediately transferred to different bank accounts locally and offshore.
Irregular activities of the safe were detected and reported to the Directorate and the suspects were traced at Kimberley Airport where they were about to board a flight to Johannesburg. Their final destination was reportedly Dubai/Dhaka as per their airline tickets. Police searched the accused and an amount of R23 000-00 cash was found in their possession and seized.
Numerous bail applications were made and the state managed to oppose them successfully. The matter is remanded to 29 June 2023 for further investigation.
