Man arrested with 554 cellphones in South Africa worth R2.5 million

On Wednesday, authorities recovered ten large bags of suspected stolen smartphones, tablets, and laptops from a cellphone shop owner in Bloemfontein, according to an official police statement.

This was a joint operation between the Parkweg Firearm Liquor and Second Hand Goods Unit (FLASH) and the Parkweg Intervention Unit.

The operation targeted those involved in robberies and the purchasing of stolen goods.

Following the apprehension of 12 suspects for robberies in the Bloemfontein CBD, police acted on intelligence and went to a block of flats where stolen goods were believed to be kept.

“Upon arrival, they encountered a 39-year-old foreign national who initially denied them entry to his flat,” the South African Police Services (SAPS) statement said.

“After persuading the suspect to grant access, officers discovered approximately ten large bags containing various brands of cellphones, tablets, and laptops.”

Saps noted that preliminary investigations indicated that 554 cellphones were found worth an estimated R2.5 million.

The investigating team believes these devices were intended to be transported out of Bloemfontein.

The 39-year-old shopkeeper is scheduled to appear in the Bloemfontein Magistrate’s Court on 22 April, facing charges of possession of suspected stolen property.

Parkweg police are urging all victims of robberies who have not yet reported their cases to come forward with proof of ownership to claim their stolen cellphones.

The investigation team is currently searching for four additional foreign nationals believed to be connected to the arrested suspect. Investigations into this matter are ongoing.

According to South African law, it is illegal to possess any goods believed to be stolen and be unable to give a satisfactory account of possession.

People found guilty of possessing stolen goods may be liable to the penalties imposed on conviction of theft.

This also applies to people who acquire stolen goods into their possession without having reasonable cause for believing the goods were the seller’s property.

The images below show police officers unpacking the bags of electronic devices found in the Bloemfontein flat.

What you should do after your phone is stolen

Phone theft victims in South Africa must take several measures after being robbed to ensure they don’t suffer severe financial damages beyond the value of their devices.

While smartphones are expensive enough as they are, the wealth of information we store on them often makes them substantially more valuable to criminals.

Organised syndicates focus on extracting banking or payment information from the device, which could see them scoring thousands of rands more than they could pocket from simply fencing your phone.

When executed correctly, they can bleed bank accounts dry or max out credit card limits within a few hours.

The first step is to notify your bank immediately.

The hotlines for reporting stolen devices to South Africa’s major banks are as follows:

• Absa — 086 055 7557
• Capitec — 086 010 2043
• Discovery Bank — 011 324 4444
• FNB — 087 575 9444
• Nedbank — 080 011 0929
• Standard Bank — 080 002 0600
• TymeBank — 086 099 9119

Alternatively, you can contact the bank via a live 24/7 support channel on a browser or, as a last resort, go into a branch.

Next, victims must block their SIM card as thieves will have control over its associated number.

In some instances, this might allow you to reset your passwords or regain access to a locked account by requesting one-time PINs delivered via SMS.

This can be done via the following channels for each mobile network:

• Cell C — 084 135
• MTN — 083 135
• Telkom — 081 180
• Vodacom — 082 135

It is also a good idea to blacklist the stolen device, which victims of theft can do while in contact with their bank.

This should make it more difficult for criminals to connect to any cellular network in South Africa to access your apps or make transactions.

Updating your banking and email passwords can also help make it even more difficult for criminals to access your account.

It is critical not to use a password that could be deduced from any information stored on your cellphone.

If your device has a feature activated that allows you to wipe it remotely, it can also help secure your sensitive information.

You also have the option to cancel your cards altogether, although be aware that you won’t be able to transact until you visit a branch and have your app linked to a new device.