Seafood Scammer Arrested: Verulam – KZN
A 28 year old Mt View – KZN resident has been tracked down & arrested by Members of Reaction Unit South Africa (RUSA) earlier today (Wednesday).
The suspect was wanted on Verulam Crime Administration System (CAS) 361/07/2025 for defrauding a seafood store based in Lotusville – KZN of approximately R10 000 worth of cooked and uncooked prawns, crab, calamari & fish.
The store owner approached the RUSA Operations Center on Monday (21/07/2025) reporting the matter. Reaction Officers interviewed several people, tracked down the Uber driver who was sent to collect the seafood with a fraudulent proof of payment & viewed cctv footage. This identified the perpetrator, his vehicle & the mobile phone used to share the Proof of Payment. Information was shared on social media & Reaction Officers received several tip-offs of a man attempting to sell the stolen seafood.
On Monday evening Officers kept observation at a location in Brindhaven – KZN after the suspect attempted to make another purchase using the same modus operandi. He opted to fetch the stolen seafood on Rosemary Drive & again produced fraudulent proof of payment. Reaction Officers established that the man works for a national dairy brand in South Africa & resided in Mt. View – KZN. Information was also received that the suspect & two (2) other males from Phoenix – KZN had stolen a large quantity of Red Bull energy drinks from Cornubia – KZN in recent weeks.
This afternoon (Wednesday) Reaction Officers arrested the suspect & recovered the phone used to communicate with the victim. When interviewed, the perpetrator informed Officers that he had dumped some of the seafood along the roadside after the products had spoilt. The rest was consumed, sold & shared with family. The suspect also confirmed that he had recently been part of a group responsible for the theft of a large quantity Red Bull from a local business.
The suspect was handed over to the South African Police Services (SAPS).
