Uitenhage police have arrested three suspects on charges of fraud linked to an ATM card-swopping scam.
Police spokesperson, Captain Gerda Swart, said the arrests were made on Thursday after a complainant raised the alarm.
"Members from the crime prevention unit received valuable information from a community member about suspects who were allegedly involved in bank card swopping at an ATM in the Uitenhage Mall at about 13:15 yesterday afternoon, 22 June 2017," she said in a statement Friday.
"The suspects allegedly fled in a rented silver VW Polo and members reacted swiftly and pulled the vehicle off the road in Constitution Road, Uitenhage."
"After investigations it was revealed that the complainants bank card and cash was found in possession of the suspects. Further investigations revealed that the driver of the VW Polo was wanted on a warrant of arrest in a similar Humewood ATM fraud case," Swart said.
Swart said that the three suspects, aged between 20 and 30, were arrested on the spot and detained on charges of fraud.
"Police have seized the bank card, cash and the vehicle. Detectives are following up all possible leads to see if suspects can be possibly linked to other cases," she said.
Acting Uitenhage Station Commander, Colonel André Swart, applauded the team for their vigilance and swift action and thanked the community for the vital role they played securing these arrests.
“When operational policing services are directed and coordinated, arrests are effected and these arrests are a major breakthrough in the fight against ATM card swopping, that is a growing concern in the area," he said.
The suspects are due to appear in the Uitenhage Magistrate’s Court on Monday, 26 June 2017.
Swart said police are once again warning the public to be vigilant when using an ATM and to protect themselves from criminals.
