The quick arrival of the police at Stellenberg Motors led to the arrest of Mzimasi Bizwapi, 42, allegedly found in possession of a card skimming device in 2014.
Bizwapi has pleaded not guilty to a charge of conspiracy to commit fraud, and six counts involving violation of the Electronic Communications and Transactions Act.
He is on trial in the Bellville Specialised Commercial Crime Court, before magistrate Sabrina Sonnenberg.
Captain Trevor Bailey told the court how three alleged victims reporting “disputed transactions” to their banks, started the investigation, and at the end of the probe there were 11 victims.
Some of the victims were lucky enough to have reported disputed transactions in time, and suffered no financial losses, he said.
Questioned by defence attorney Carika Esterhuizen, he said all the bank cards had been issued by Standard Bank, and that the lawful owners had all used their cards to pay for fuel at Stellenberg Motors.
The charge sheet revealed that the owner of Stellenberg Motors received complaints from customers who had fallen victim to fraudulent transactions.
He notified Standard Bank’s fraud investigator, Pieter Jordaan, who soon uncovered a syndicate.
Prosecutor Jacques Smith alleges the syndicate gave Bizwapi a skimming device, to capture the data on the magnetic strips of the cards.
Bizwapi allegedly sold this information to the syndicate.
The case continues on May 12.