SCAMMERS CAUGHT IN THE ACT IN MIDRAND!

Five suspects, aged between 27 and 39, who are believed to be involved in online scam were wounded during a shootout with the police in Midrand on Monday, 25 August 2025.

The suspects are expected to appear before Midrand Magistrate Court on Wednesday, 27 August 2025, facing charges that include attempted murder, possession of unlicensed firearms, ammunition and conspiracy to commit armed robbery.

Police were following up on information after a victim who responded to a sale of a Polo Vivo on Facebook was shot, kidnapped and robbed by the people whom he thought were the sellers of the car.

The unsuspecting victim met the “sellers” in Midrand on 4 August 2025, and that is where he realised that it was a scam.

As the case was under the investigation, police received information about a man who responded to the same Facebook advert where the same car was for sale and the contact number being the same.

The police went with the potential buyer to meet the sellers in Midrand on Monday, 25 August 2025.

After realising that the police were with the buyer, the suspects who were driving in two vehicles started shooting at the police as they drove off.

A high-speed chase and shootout ensued. One of the cars driven by the suspects capsised and five suspects were arrested.

Two firearms were found in their possession.Investigation is underway to establish if these suspects are linked to other cases of online scam and robberies.

Police continue to warn the community to be extra cautious when responding to items that are advertised online.