The Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (the Hawks), in conjunction with the banking industry and mobile service providers, is looking for a banking crime syndicate ringleader, Mr Mduduzi Zakhele Nhlapo (aka Zakes or Big Boss), with identity number 880217 5176 08 1 in relation to a string of bank-related offences.
Zakhele is leading a sophisticated syndicate who is obtaining clients’ profiles from known banks. This information is then used to do SIM swaps and to transfer funds via mobile banking from victims’ accounts.
These crimes are often committed through the assistance of corrupt bank officials and agents in an organised fashion.
The mobile service providers and the banks have put security measures in place, but with the assistance of the corrupt bank and mobile network service providers, the syndicate always finds a way to access clients’ banking information fraudulently. This syndicate always changes their modus operandi when they are detected and when some of them are arrested.
Zakhele, who is also a drag racer and belongs to a group called “Street Fighters”, knows that he is wanted by the police. He is suspected of doing his rounds in Gauteng, especially the Vaal and Soweto areas. The Hawks strongly believe that Zakhele’s arrest will play a pivotal role in closing down this syndicate’s operations.
For any information which may lead to Zakhele’s whereabouts, please contact Lieutenant Colonel Links of the Hawks, who is investigating this matter, at 071 481 2658.
Mr Mduduzi Zakhele Nhlapo (aka Zakes or Big Boss), with identity number 880217 5176 08 1 in relation to a string of bank-related offences. For any information which may lead to Zakhele’s whereabouts, please contact Lieutenant Colonel Links of the Hawks, who is investigating this matter, at 071 481 2658.