A suspect has been arrested in Petrus Steyn, Free State on charges of fraud and impersonating Hawks Head, Godfrey Lebeya.
The 42-year-old had requested information from a prominent Gauteng-based businessman via WhatsApp last year under the guise of assisting with a security breach.
Hawks National Spokesperson, Thandi Mbambo says, "Believing that he was communicating with the real National Head of the Hawks, the victim provided personal details and contact information of close associates. The suspect later solicited money, claiming to have successfully de-bugged the victims mobile devices. An amount that is more than R100 000 was subsequently paid by the victims."
Mbambo says, "The National Head of the DPCI said, 'I am happy that the individual who pretended to be myself has now been caught. Those who have been tricked should come forward. Following a thorough investigation, the suspect was apprehended."
-Reporting by Sareshen Pillay
