Nearly R500,000 gone at the pump: How a trusted petrol attendant allegedly pulled off fuel card fraud

A crime hidden in plain sight

For most motorists, filling up is one of the most ordinary parts of daily life. You hand over your card, wait for the pump to click, and drive off without a second thought. But in Mpumalanga, that everyday routine has now been shaken by a fraud case that unfolded right at the petrol pump.

A 34-year-old petrol attendant has been arrested for allegedly running a fuel card cloning operation that investigators say drained close to R500,000 from unsuspecting motorists.

How the alleged scam worked

According to the Hawks, the suspect is believed to have cloned fuel cards during legitimate transactions, targeting motorists who paid with petrol cards at a Truckstop Inn fuel station. While customers drove away believing all was well, cloned card details were allegedly being used elsewhere.

Card fraud investigators from two banks began noticing unusual spending patterns linked to fuel cards. Their findings pointed back to a single location and eventually, a single attendant.

The estimated loss uncovered so far sits at R469,000, but investigators believe that figure could rise.

Hawks move in

Once the information was shared, the Hawks’ Serious Commercial Crime Investigation unit in Middelburg moved quickly. On Friday, 12 December 2025, officers descended on the fuel station and identified the suspect on duty.

A search allegedly revealed a card-cloning device in his possession, leading to an immediate arrest.

He is expected to appear before the Balfour Magistrate’s Court on Monday, 15 December 2025.

Public reaction: “You trust people at the pump”

News of the arrest sparked swift reaction online, with many South Africans expressing shock and frustration.

“Petrol attendants see our cards every day. You don’t expect this,” one social media user wrote. Others called for tighter controls at fuel stations and more awareness around fuel card safety, especially for fleet drivers and long-haul operators who rely heavily on petrol cards.

A wider problem, not a one-off?

Mpumalanga Hawks provincial head Major General Nico Gerber warned that the investigation is still at an early stage and may uncover more.

“There is a possibility that more people may be linked to the illegal activities,” he said, praising the cooperation between banks, the fuel station and law enforcement.

Fuel card fraud is not new in South Africa, but cases like this highlight how small, everyday moments, a tap of a card, a quick fill-up, can be exploited when oversight slips.

For now, the message from investigators is clear: collaboration works, vigilance matters, and even crimes committed quietly at the pump don’t stay hidden forever.

{Source: IOL}

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