FREE STATE – Marius Smit (27) appeared before the Bloemfontein Regional Court on Thursday, 10 June 2021 where he was convicted and sentenced for fraud.

His conviction originates from an incident which took place on Wednesday, 3 July 2019 where Hawks’ Communication Services Bloemfontein received information about the fraudulent advertising of vehicles for sales on Facebook. It is alleged that Smit requested deposit from interested buyers for fuel money or delivery money of the vehicle. The victims will then deposit the money by means of ewallet or money market transfers. Smit will then withdraw the money and not deliver the vehicles to the victims as agreed.

A disruptive operation was then conducted by members of the Hawks’ Serious Commercial Crime Investigation in Bloemfontein together with Hawks’ Communication Services where Smit was traced and arrested in Botshabelo while he was withdrawing the money at an ATM. Smit appeared in court on several occasions culminating to his recent conviction.

The court sentenced Smit to 3 years direct imprisonment.

Source: South African Police Service