Convicted data fraudster to apply for bail after re-arrest

A convicted fraudster nabbed for illegally obtaining the data of over 23 million South Africans will apply for bail in the Palm Ridge Magistrates court on Thursday.

Karabo Phungula was found guilty of fraud in October and was set for sentencing but was a no-show on three occasions.

The Commercial Crimes court found the 37-year-old impersonated a businessman to acquire the personal information and planned to sell it for over 4 million rand.

When Phungula called the registered credit bureau group Experian, he went by the name Tebogo Mogashoa and claimed to be the chairperson of investment company Talis Holdings.

The qualified IT technician is the CEO of a company called Hi-Pexel Communications which he used to furnish fake proof of payment for the data.

In May 2020 Experian then granted him the personal information of over 23 million South Africans in debt and 727 thousand businesses.

In October Phungula was found guilty of fraud and his sentencing was scheduled for February this year.

After missing that appearance, he was a no-show on two other occasions prompting the court to order his immediate arrest, and his 3-thousand-rand bail was forfeited to the State.

He is now applying for bail after he was re-arrested on Monday in Naledi, Soweto.

-EWN

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