Cybercrime suspect in court for fraudulent vehicle licences

A 48-YEAR-old foreign national, Vincent Christian Mkumbo, well-known as "Chris", made a brief appearance in the Kuruman Magistrate’s Court this week for alleged cyber fraud.

According to Warrant Officer Nomthandazo Mnisi, the spokesperson for the Hawks in the Northern Cape, the Tanzanian national is accused of running a scheme to manufacture and sell counterfeit vehicle licence discs. This operation, aimed at helping clients dodge the bureaucratic hassle of the Traffic Department, reportedly involved providing customers with a licence disc with an extended expiration date.

Mnisi explained that Mkumbo would receive old, expired vehicle licence discs and for just R350, clients could collect a printout of the same licence disc, now boasting an extended expiration date.

The Hawks' Serious Corruption Investigation team took swift action on October 3, 2024, conducting a search and seizure operation at a location in Promise Land, Kuruman. During the raid, investigators seized critical evidence, including a red and black USB memory stick and Mkumbo's cellphone, which will be examined as part of the ongoing investigation.

Mkumbo was immediately arrested and appeared in the Kuruman Magistrate’s Court on October 4, 2024, for alleged cyber fraud, alternative fraud, alternative forgery and uttering.

At his court appearance, Mkumbo was granted R500 bail with the condition that he must keep the investigating officer informed of his whereabouts at all times if he leaves Kuruman.

As the investigation unfolds, the case has been postponed until December 5, 2024.