Fraud suspect spent R80 000 at the Upington casino hotel

A 30-YEAR-OLD suspect is expected to appear in the Upington Magistrate’s Court today on charges of fraud after he allegedly spent R80,000 at the Upington casino hotel.

A spokesperson for the Hawks, Captain Tebogo Thebe, said that First National Bank informed them that one of its clients from Kwazulu-natal complained that R20,000 was withdrawn from his account without his permission.

“The Upington Serious Commercial Crime Investigation unit took over the investigation and established that the suspect booked himself in at the Upington casino hotel, where he spent approximately R80,000 on accommodation, food and drinks, using the details of three different bank accounts,” said Thebe. He added that a search and seizure operation was conducted at the suspect’s hotel room, where two cellphones, bank statements and proof of payment slips were seized.

“The team believes that the said documents will aid the investigation going forward.”

Meanwhile, the Galeshewe SAPS Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences unit is searching for an 11-year-old girl, Relebogile Segami, who went missing from her home in Latlhi Mabilo Street in Galeshewe on Wednesday.

Police spokesperson Captain Olebogeng Tawana said that Relebogile never returned home after meeting her friends in the Kagisho area.

“The police have launched a multi-disciplinary search since her whereabouts are unknown. She was last seen wearing a black short top and grey shorts. We are appealing to the public to come forward with any information that could assist us in locating and reuniting Relebogile with her family,” said Tawana.

The investigating officer in the matter, Lieutenant-colonel Marli Strydom, can be contacted on 082 495 061 or members of the public can contact Crime Stop on 08600 10111.

“All information shared will be treated with the strictest confidentiality,” Tawana added.