Mobile operator MTN said on Wednesday afternoon it has worked closely with the South African Police Service to arrest an individual suspected of stealing airtime vouchers worth about R5m.
Reports elsewhere said incorrectly that the thief, who was apprehended on the West Rand in Gauteng, had stolen R50m.
The police confiscated computer equipment believed to have been used to commit the crime.
Lily Zondo, GM of business risk management at MTN South Africa, says it was sustained monitoring that allowed the operator to track the suspect.
“Through continuous monitoring, which took about 18 months, we were able to conclude the investigation and are satisfied that the negative impact that may have been posed by the suspect is done away with.”
According to Zondo, cybercrime is on the increase worldwide and this particular arrest is a “big breakthrough” for MTN.
MTN says it cannot divulge any further details on the case, claiming the matter is now “sub judice”. — (c) 2013 NewsCentral Media