Government is set to take over a portion of Eskom’s debt. Image: Pixabay.
Woman, 59, arrested for fraud, money laundering and theft worth R2.5m
The woman worked as a bookkeeper for a Western Cape shipping company and allegedly transferred money into her own bank accounts.
Government is set to take over a portion of Eskom’s debt. Image: Pixabay.
The Western Cape Commercial Crimes Investigative Unit arrested a 59-year-old woman for fraud, money laundering, theft, forgery and uttering worth R2.5 million. The combined potential loss suffered as a result of the alleged crimes is R4.5 million.
POLICE ARREST FORMER BOOKKEEPER ARRESTED FOR FRAUD
South African Police Service (SAPS) spokesperson Captain Frederick van Wyk said the suspect was a bookkeeper at a shipping company in Laaiplek. She was arrested on Thursday, 7 July.
An external auditor brought in by the shipping company’s owner to obtain a tax certificate spotted fraudulent activity in the company’s accounts.
“Further auditing of the company’s books proved to be riddled with irregularities which led the owner to open a criminal case,” said van Wyk.
The woman was reportedly responsible for all creditors’ and debtor’s accounts between January 2016 and June 2019. During this period, she allegedly fraudulently transferred money from her employer’s business account into her personal bank accounts, the accounts of several family members and her own business account.
The suspect also allegedly used the company’s credit cards to buy personal items, including an overseas trip. She even bought a property and a vehicle, which she registered in her own name
“The suspect forged and presented documents to convince the owner that the vehicle was registered in the company name,” said the police spokesperson.
The woman is due in the Laaiplek Magistrate’s Court on Monday, 11 July on the charges above.
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