A foreign national e-hailing driver have been arrested in Simons Town on Wednesday morning on a charge of fraud amounting to R650 000.

The 30-year-old Zimbabwean man was charged following an investigation by Simons Town police who received a complaint from a Danish man who claimed the e-hailing driver gained access to his credit card.

According to police, the incident happened on Tuesday night when the e-hailing ride allegedly took the 21-year-old Danish man and two friends from Cape Town to Simons Town.

Police Colonel Andre Traut says, the three complainants dozed off during the ride and it is suspected that the e-hailing driver gained access to one of their credit cards and sent the information to his brother in Europe where seven purchases at luxury boutique shops were made.

The Danish tourist became aware of the purchases during the early hours of Wednesday morning when he received notifications on his phone.

After attempts by the tourist to reach the e-hailing driver were unsuccessful, he decided to open the case with the Simons Town police.

“This is where Sergeant Henry Simons used his initiative and booked an e-hailing service with the specific driver, using the phone at the court building, not raising suspicion by using a number connected to the police station.”

According to Col. Traut, the suspect reported for the ride at the court building where he was questioned and arrested. The 30-year-old Zimbabwean man is charged and is expected to make his first court appearance in Simons Town.

Police have called on any person who possibly fell victim to a similar modus operandi are kindly requested to contact Simons Town police on 021 7868646 or Crime Stop on 08600 10111.

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