B Secure received information pertaining to a fraudulent account card that was going to be used to make an illegal purchase from a national fashion retail store in a small town near Cape Town. Our B Secure investigative unit was tasked to investigate the initial report and discovered that it was in actual fact a case of Identity theft from an individual residing in another region of the country. Further investigation into the case revealed that a fraudulent Identity Document would be used in the place of an illegal/fraudulent account card to carry out the planned crime. It was also established that this matter was part of a crime syndicate who were illegally and fraudulently manufacturing Identity Documents which were then used to purchase goods from credit providers. The syndicate acquired personal information from account holders; conducted credit availability checks on each person; set up a contact in the store and would then make the illegal purchase. A B Secure task team was assembled to apprehend the suspect in the act.

The B Secure operatives met with the staff in the target store and advised them on the safety aspects of the operation. The team successfully apprehended a woman making the illegal purchase with the fraudulent Identity Document (the details of the operation may not be published and is not for public viewing). Two fraudulent Identity Documents were seized from the suspect and were handed over to the SAPS for further investigation. The woman was arrested and has appeared before a Magisterial Court.

Prevention Tips – Identity Fraud

• Ensure that your Identity Document is safely stored at all times and if it is stolen, report the matter to your nearest police station immediately.
• Ensure that you receive monthly account statements – read and verify that the amounts reflected in the statement are legitimate.
• Notify creditors immediately in the event of your account cards or ID being stolen or misplaced.
• Do not disclose personal information to any person, claiming to represent an organization or company, who has made contact with you in order to verify or ask you for personal information - Please contact the SAPS in such an event so that they are able to investigate the matter. You will also be allocated a CAS number so that you are able to present credit providers with sufficient proof that you may have fallen victim to fraudsters.