Fraudulent purchase of R1.3 million Ford Ranger Raptor: Limpopo man remanded behind bars

A 27-year-old Limpopo man, Jason Khomotjo Rantho, was remanded behind bars after he was arrested by the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, also known as the Hawks, for fraud during the purchase of a top-of-the-range Ford Raptor.

Rantho appeared in court on Monday after he was nabbed by the Hawks’ serious commercial crime investigation unit and the Sekhukhune tracing team at Groblersdal in Limpopo.

“It is alleged that during April 2023, the accused applied for motor vehicle finance at WesBank to purchase a Ford Ranger Raptor valued at over R1.3 million.

“The accused allegedly attached the bank statement and the employer's payslip as requested,”  said Warrant Officer Lethunya Mmuroa, spokesperson for the Hawks in Limpopo.

“The application was processed and approved.”

The dealership then contacted the 27-year-old man and notified him that his application had been successful.

“He went to the dealership in Polokwane to collect the car, accompanied by two men who are also suspects,” said Mmuroa.

As days went by, the 27-year-old man failed to make the monthly installments for the vehicle. The bank tried to contact him without success.

“WesBank conducted a forensic audit and noticed that the accused used fraudulent documents during his application. The matter was reported to the Hawks' serious commercial crime investigation in Polokwane for assistance,” said Mmuroa.

Investigations were conducted by the Hawks, which led to the arrest of the first accused person in the matter in January 2024.

“Further investigations revealed that the arrested suspect, aged 27, assisted the accused to defraud and collect the vehicle from the dealership,” said Mmuroa.

Meanwhile, provincial head of the Hawks in Limpopo, Major General Gopz Govender has welcomed the arrest of the suspect.

In 2023, IOL reported that a Limpopo woman, aged 22, was sentenced to pay R10 000 or spend two years in jail after she used fraudulent documents to buy a Hyundai Atos.

At the time, Hawks in Limpopo, Lieutenant-Colonel Matimba Maluleke said the Hyundai Atos valued at over R340 000 was financed by Wesbank in 2022.

“Miranda Thandaza Lubisi was sentenced for fraud by the Polokwane Specialised Commercial Crimes Court on 12 May, 2023,” Matimba said.

“On 16 September, 2022, the accused visited a vehicle dealership in Tzaneen and showed interest in a Hyundai Atos valued at R346,122. The accused was assisted by the salesperson at the dealership to apply for vehicle finance that was later approved by Wesbank.”

Maluleke said the vehicle was delivered to Lubisi.

“After a few months, the bank was audited and it was discovered that the accused used fraudulent documents to apply for vehicle finance. The case of fraud was opened at Tzaneen police station and transferred to the Hawks’ serious commercial crime investigation unit for further handling,” he said.

A thorough investigation was conducted, and consequently, the accused was arrested and charged with fraud.

After a few court appearances, she was granted bail until she was convicted and sentenced to pay R10,000 or two years' imprisonment,” Maluleke said.

“She was further sentenced to five years imprisonment which is suspended for five years on condition that she does not commit similar offences during the suspension period.”

jonisayi.maromo@iol.co.za

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