SAPS
A warrant of arrest has been issued by the Bloemfontein Magistrates Court for a man wanted for a string of fraud cases reported in Bloemfontein, Gqeberha and East London.
The 31-year-old Rodney Dudley Rippon would allegedly book into guesthouses and then leave without paying.
Free State Police spokesperson Brigadier Motantsi Makhele says in one of the guesthouses where Rippon stayed he left with a visitor’s laptop which had his personal information including banking details.
He then used it to apply for a loan amounting to R50 000 at one of the financial institutions.
He allegedly also made several unsuccessful attempts to take out cellphone contracts.
Brigadier Makhele says Parkweg police in Bloemfontein launched a manhunt for Rippon and when several attempts to find him failed, the Magistrates Court issued a warrant of arrest on the 3rd of March.
According to police Rippon had all kinds of modus operandi where he would take vehicles to be repaired and then sell them without the owners' consent.
He says it is alleged that Rippon also advertised building Wendy houses and would then take deposits from clients before disappearing.
One of Rippon's alleged Wendy house scam victims took to social media last month to share her ordeal.
She says Rippon also goes by the name of Pieter Venter of Venter Enterprises.
Brigadier Makhele says it is possible that more cases can be linked to Rippon and urged anyone with information to contact the Investigating Officer, Detective Warrant Officer Robert Bookless on 076 520 4357.
