Petrol attendant arrested for cloning fuel cards and defrauding motorists nearly half a million

By: The Youth Voice Reporter

Middleburg – A 34 year-old petrol attendant has been arrested in Middleburg following allegations that he siphoned nearly half a million rand from unsuspecting motorists by cloning fuel cards.The Hawks’ Middelburg-based Serious Commercial Crime Investigation unit acted on a complaint lodged by investigators from two financial institutions, together with management from the Truckstop Inn fuel station.

The complaint indicated that a petrol attendant was suspected of cloning fuel cards during transactions when motorists used petrol cards to pay for fuel.Following investigations by the financial institutions, it was established that card users suffered an estimated loss of approximately R469,000. The Hawks were subsequently notified, and the information was operationalised.On Friday, 12 December 2025, the Hawks conducted an operation at the fuel station, during which the identified petrol attendant was searched.

A card-cloning device was allegedly found in his possession, leading to his immediate arrest.The suspect is expected to appear before the Balfour Magistrate’s Court on Monday, 15 December 2025, on charges related to fraud and card cloning.

Mpumalanga Provincial Head of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, Major General Nico Gerber, commended the collaborative efforts between the financial institutions, the fuel station and the Hawks.“Our investigation is still in its infancy, and we believe that as it progresses, more information will be uncovered.

There is a possibility that more individuals may be linked to these illegal activities. This case highlights the importance of strong public-private partnerships in the fight against crime,” said Gerber.