Instances of people using fraudulent finance in South Africa to purchase expensive vehicles is on the rise. Earlier this year, The South African reported of a Polokwane man busted attempting to purchase a high-powered Ford bakkie. Now, another Mpumalanga man, Frans Nkadimeng, has been sentenced in the Middleburg Magistrate Court this week, reports IOL.
According to the Hawks’ Warrant Officer Thandi Tshabalala, back in 2022, Nkadimeng applied for financing through a respected automotive services provider. He then approached a prominent dealership in Middelburg using a fraudulent payslip, bank statement and other documents. The fraudulent finance in South Africa was worth approximately R570 000. After his application was approved by the bank, Nkadimeng collected his desired vehicle, a 2017 VW Kombi.
FRAUDULENT FINANCE IN SOUTH AFRICA
“Nkadimeng said he was employed by Ikageng Ma-Africa Burial Society in Soshanguve when he approached the dealership to purchase the vehicle. His finance application was approved by a reputable services provider, based on the fraudulent documents he presented,” explained Warrant Officer Tshabalala.
However, it soon became clear this was yet another case of fraudulent finance in South Africa. From the first month, Nkadimeng failed to pay the required instalments on his VW Kombi. As is applicable, the bank tried to locate him, but he was nowhere to be found. As a result, the matter was reported to the Hawks’ Middelburg-based Serious Commercial Crime Unit for investigation.
A FINE AND SUSPENDED SENTENCE
The Hawks investigated and eventually located Nkadimeng. He was arrested and the vehicle was subsequently recovered. There is no information yet as to how the fraud was committed. However, we can only assume there was an inside man to facilitate proceedings at the bank.
In court, Nkadimeng was found guilty, but he was only handed a fined of R10 000. A penalty that’s a mere drop in the ocean compared to the value of the vehicle in question. Likewise, he faces no jail time for securing fraudulent finance in South Africa. Only a five-year suspended sentence. On condition that he is not convicted of any similar offences again during his five-year suspension.
CAN YOU BELIEVE THIS TYPE OF FRAUDULENT FINANCING OCCURS?
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