11 nabbed for producing fake documents in SA

AT LEAST 11 people have been arrested in Rustenburg for allegedly producing fake documents, the municipality said this week.

Spokesperson David Magae said the group was arrested on Wednesday after a crime prevention team received a tip-off about an operation making illegal certificates at Trans Cash and Carry complex.

“Eleven suspects were apprehended for participating in the illegal act. Among them was a wanted suspect linked with incidents of business robbery, armed robbery and common assault.

“Other suspects were taken to the police station, for a finger print inquiry to check, if they are not linked to any previous criminal cases. One has been linked to a foreign national who is alleged to be

his accomplice in the operation of counterfeit certificates,” he said.

During further questioning, one of the suspects led police officers to a business building in Nelson Mandela Drive, where the operation was managed from, he said.

Fraudulent duplication of birth certificates, marriage certificates, FNB Bank statements, SAPS Police Clearance with stamps from Pretoria, traffic registers, Ethiopian and Somalian asylum documents and motor vehicle discs were found at the business building.

“The listed items were declared fraudulent by Warrant Officer Joseph Martin [Cyber Crime Investigation Unit]. The suspects are expected to appear soon at a local magistrate court, on a charge of fraud,” he said. — SA News.