Durban - A foreign national who allegedly booked more than R100 000 in domestic flights using stolen credit cards was arrested by police at his Durban flat yesterday.
Police believe he is a one of the “big fish” associated with credit card fraud in KwaZulu-Natal.
SAPS spokesman, Captain Khephu Ndlovu, said they received a tip-off that a man was allegedly buying and selling stolen goods from his flat in Problem Mkhize (Cowey) Road.
He said Durban Central detectives swooped on the flat after midday.
“A 32-year-old foreign national was questioned. His flat was searched and various goods, suspected to be stolen, were found,” said Ndlovu.
Police seized 24 cellphones, 66 credit cards, laptops, DVDs and fraudulent documents.
The value of the goods seized was R800 000.
Also, R100 000 worth of tickets for domestic flights were found in the flat.
“The credit cards were from various banks and ranged from gold to platinum.
Investigations show that the same cards were used to book the flights between provinces.”
Ndlovu said the police were investigating who the flights were for.
He said the police hoped to link the suspect to other cases.
“We believe he is one of the big fish in the credit card syndicate. This is a major bust. From the documents found in his flat, it appears he also used the credit cards to sustain his lavish lifestyle.
Thousands of rands worth of jewellery was purchased on some of the cards.”
Ndlovu said it was unclear if the suspect was living in the country illegally.
The man was expected to appear in the Durban Magistrate’s Court today.
He faced charges of being in possession of stolen property and fraudulent documents.
Daily News