Zimbabwean driver steals R650 000 from sleeping passengers

A 30-year-old Zimbabwean e-hailing driver has been arrested for fraud amounting to R650,000 following a creative investigation by Simons Town police. The driver, who is set to appear in court after being charged, was apprehended this morning after an e-hailing ride that turned into a high-stakes fraud case.

The incident began when a 21-year-old Danish man and two friends took an e-hailing ride from Cape Town to Simons Town on the evening of November 5. During the journey, the complainants reportedly fell asleep in the vehicle. It is suspected that the driver used the opportunity to access one of the passengers’ credit cards and forwarded the information to his brother in Europe. The stolen card details were then used to make seven luxury purchases from high-end boutiques.

The complainant discovered the fraudulent transactions early the next morning when he received notifications of the purchases on his phone. Upon realizing what had occurred, he attempted to contact the driver, but was unable to reach him. The case was subsequently reported to Simons Town police.

Sergeant Henry Simons took immediate action by using his initiative to book a ride with the same e-hailing driver, ensuring the operation would be discreet. The booking was made using a phone number linked to the police station to avoid raising suspicion. When the driver arrived for the ride at the court building, he was confronted by police, questioned, and arrested.

The Simons Town police are now seeking assistance from the public in case anyone else has fallen victim to a similar scam. Anyone who believes they may have been affected by this method is encouraged to contact Simons Town police at 021 7868646 or Crime Stop at 08600 10111.

The prompt investigation and arrest highlight the critical role of law enforcement in combating fraud and ensuring public safety in the rapidly growing e-hailing industry.

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