GAUTENG – The Heidelberg Magistrates’ court will hear this Thursday how a 65-year-old man allegedly defrauded and stolen money from community members for “private investigation services” as a Hawks’ detective in the Heidelberg area.

The Hawks’ Serious Corruption Investigation team in the Vaal Rand received intelligence about a suspicious man who allegedly submitted fictitious payslips as proof of payment at a guesthouse in Heidelberg for rental approval.

It is alleged that the suspect introduced himself as a Hawks private investigator as well as a licensing department administrator to Heidelberg community members for requested services.

Further investigation revealed that in the past three years, the complainants paid monies for services required which he allegedly failed to render.

An intelligence driven operation was conducted today by the Hawks, Heidelberg police and Sebokeng Tactical Response Team at a guesthouse in Heidelberg where they pounced on the suspect.

Police executed a search and seizure warrant which resulted to electronics, sim cards, identity documents and banks cards seized for further investigation.

The suspect was subsequently charged with fraud, police impersonation, and theft under false pretences.

He is expected to appear in the Heidelberg Magistrates Court on Thursday, 11 November 2021.

Source: South African Police Service