/ 25 July 2003

Absa hacking case: man held for questioning

The person arrested in connection with the Absa internet fraud case on Thursday was only being held for questioning at this stage, Western Cape police said on Friday.

Superintendent Riaan Pool said the person was arrested at a guest house in the Western Cape and had not yet been charged.

”I can confirm that a person was picked up on Thursday afternoon and is being held for questioning by the commercial branch in Bellville,” Pool said.

”However, due to the sensitivity of the investigation no further information may be divulged at this stage as it may compromise the investigation itself.”

Pool was unable to say if the arrested person was a man or a woman.

Pool said he was not at liberty to discuss anything about the investigation such as where the person was picked up. Pool would also not confirm whether the suspect was in possession of a computer.

According to the Johannesburg-based daily newspaper Beeld, the person being questioned is a man in his 30s. The person is being questioned in connection with the transfer of money from web-based Absa account holders.

More than R500 000 was withdrawn from 10 account holders via the internet. All the victims apparently lived in the Bellville area. – Sapa