The police in Bethlehem are looking for suspects in a fraud case that happened between 06 May 2026 and 08 May 2026. On 6 May 2026, the 66-year-old complainant was walking in Bethlehem CBD when a stranger bumped her and smeared some substance on her arm. Another conman convinced her that she needed to report the incident to the police.
Unknowingly, she was tricked and led to two suspects pretending to be police officials. To confuse her further, the imposters drove with the complainant to Bethlehem Police Station, left her in the motor vehicle, and walked into the station. They came back a moment later and convinced her that she needed to withdraw her money from one account and transfer the other money to another account, which would be safe.
To complete the transactions, the importers travelled with the victim to Reitz, where money was withdrawn from one account while other funds were transferred to an account claimed to be safe by the conmen. The group travelled back to Bethlehem, and more money was withdrawn at the mall.
On 8 May 2026, the complainant noticed that even the money in the account, which was said to be safe, was also withdrawn. A case docket of fraud was then opened at Bethlehem Police Station. The sketch of the female imposter who introduced herself as Captain Mokoena was compiled by the facial identification expert at Bethlehem Local Criminal Record Center.
Any member of the public who might have information regarding the fraud incident or recognise the female imposter is requested to contact Warrant Officer Nicolaas Stander at 082 443 3627. Alternatively, the information can be submitted on #MySAPSApp, call the SAPS #CrimeStop number 08600 10111 or be reported at any local police station.
