WESTERN CAPE – Three suspects have been arrested in connection with South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) fraud in Knysna.

The suspects were arrested during a multi-disciplinary takedown operation comprising of the Hawks’ Serious Commercial Crime Investigation team based in George together with Crime Intelligence, SASSA officials, Public Order Police Service (POPS).

It is alleged that the suspects forged and uttered SASSA documents using SASSA letter head and recruited members of the community to apply for cash loans claiming that they were SASSA beneficiaries.

Upon loan approval the suspects will take the granted loan and pay the community member an undisclosed amount of cash and retain the remaining amount of the loaned money. Further allegations reports that the suspects were even responsible for transporting their accomplices to the cash loan places. As a result of their criminal activities the cash loan businesses suffered a loss of over R64 084-00.

All three suspects will appear in the Knysna Magistrate’s Court, tomorrow, 28 October 2022 to face fraud, forgery and uttering charges.

Source: South African Police Service