South Africa
Two foreign nationals arrested by Hawks and Interpol─── 09:24 Thu, 29 Sep 2022
Two foreign nationals, allegedly part of a cult known as the “Air Lords” and who are said to be rivals of the Black Axe movement, have been arrested in Gauteng for scamming thousands of people online.
The criminals, aged 39 and 42 years, were handcuffed in an early morning multi-disciplinary joint operation in two locations around Pretoria.
Interpol and Hawks
The operation was led by Interpol, assisted by Hawks’ Serious Commercial Crimes Investigation’s 419 Provincial Task Team and Tactical Operations Management Section.
Police spokesperson, Colonel Katlego Mogale, said the officers recovered a number of items used by the foreign nationals to scam people.
“This arrest is one of several, happening simultaneously in other countries, tracing the suspects involved in online scams such as romance, investments, Bitcoin, employment and all related Advance Fee fraud.”
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Extradition
Mogale said the search and seizure operation by the joint team recovered electronic equipment including laptops and phones, thousands of rands in cash as well as an unlicensed firearm.
“The suspects will be charged, detained and extradited by Interpol. The suspects will be linked to the online scams that are being investigated by the 419 Provincial Task Teams.”
Mogale said the alleged perpetrators will appear in court soon on charges of conspiracy to wire fraud, access device fraud, conspiracy to commit fraud and money laundering schemes.
“It relates to the Contravention of Prevention of Organised Crime Act with the one suspect that will be charged with possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition as well,” she added.
