’Mantoetse Maama
MASERU — Two men are facing fraud charges in the Maseru magistrate’s court after they allegedly defrauded three shops of more than M77 000 using fake credit cards.
Bokang Lekhooana, 29, from Ha-Tsolo and ’Muso Lephole, 34, from Malumeng in Mafeteng were allegedly working as a syndicate but they are charged with separate crimes.
Lekhooana is accused of defrauding Loti Brick of M17 000 and M24 000 from Ellerines Furniture Store.
Lephole, is accused of defrauding CTM of M36 000.
The court granted Lekhooana a bail of M1 800.
He was also ordered to pay a surety of M15 000.
He managed to pay and was immediately released from custody but immediately rearrested in connection with similar crimes he is suspected of having committed in Butha-Buthe and Maputsoe.
Lephole failed to raise bail and was remanded in custody until their trial.
He has also been sent to Leribe to face similar charges at the magistrate court for crimes he allegedly committed in Maputsoe and Butha-Buthe.
Police spokesperson Masupha Masupha said the suspects had fake credit cards which they swiped at various shops to buy goods fraudulently.
Masupha appealed to shop owners to be careful when they deal with customers who use credit cards.
“They should not give goods to a customer using credit card before the bank reflects a payment,” Masupha said.
“If a customer is in a hurry they should opt for a debit card as the money will reflect in the account immediately,” he said.
Masupha said it is alleged that the suspects bought these fake credit cards from a syndicate in South Africa where they are manufactured.
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