Chinese fugitive, wanted in Beijing on fraud charges, arrested in Gauteng

The Interpol National Central Bureau (NCB) in Pretoria, in conjunction with the South African Police Service (SAPS), has arrested a Chinese fugitive at Sandton.

The Chinese national is wanted in the People’s Republic of China, in connection with a case of fraud.

Lieutenant Colonel Amanda van Wyk, spokesperson for the SAPS, said law enforcement agencies in South Africa continue to record commendable successes in dismantling transnational crime syndicates and arresting international fugitives in the country.

“This week, the Interpol NCB Pretoria extradition team arrested a 57-year-old Chinese fugitive who is reportedly linked to a case of fraud reported in China,” said Van Wyk.

“According to a preliminary report, Interpol circulated a red notice to all member countries to locate and provisionally arrest the Chinese national.”

Van Wyk said that wanted persons often flee to other countries to evade their arrest.

The suspect reportedly applied for a visa at the United States’ consulate in Sandton, when his fugitive status was flagged, leading to his arrest on Tuesday.

The accused man made his first appearance before the Randburg Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday.

IOL has made an enquiry to the Embassy of China in South Africa, and this story will be updated if a response is received from the Chinese authorities.

Earlier this year, IOL reported that three suspects believed to be behind the kidnapping of a Chinese businessman were arrested in Delft, Cape Town. 

The city’s mayoral committee member for safety and security, JP Smith, said the breakthrough was made following a collaborative effort between the police and their teams.

“On Friday, April 11 our teams successfully conducted an operation in Delft, resulting in the arrest of three suspects linked to the kidnapping of a Chinese businessman in February,” he said. 

Smith said the suspects face charges related to kidnapping, robbery, and other crimes.

“This operation showcases the effectiveness of intelligence-led policing and inter-agency cooperation,” Smith added.

He said the case was another example of the growing concern of kidnappings in South Africa and shared the following data:

“South Africa saw a 260% increase in reported kidnappings from 2021-2023. During the same period, Cape Town reported a 17% increase in kidnappings, but accounts for only 6% of the country's total cases," he said at the time.

“Gauteng, on the other hand, accounts for around 50% of South Africa's reported kidnapping cases.”

Smith said that since their intervention, they have been yielding more successes in finding victims.

jonisayi.maromo@iol.co.za

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