Real Purchases, Fake Payments: A Network of Scammers Dismantled

A series of scams involving fake payments through the Juice app has been uncovered in the North. Three suspects have been arrested following an investigation by the Divisional Crime Intelligence Unit (DCIU).

These alleged scammers, who initially succeeded in obtaining goods from several businesses through false payments, were apprehended during an operation conducted by the DCIU – Northern Division.

A trio of young individuals had devised a well-rehearsed scheme to acquire cell phones, projectors, bicycles, and pizza without making any actual payments. Their targets included a well-known chain of pizzerias, from which they placed multiple orders. The losses incurred from these deliveries amount to Rs 36,202.

Their method involved simulating payments via the Juice app by presenting merchants with fake text messages mimicking those typically sent by the MCB during electronic transactions.

However, the deception was uncovered thanks to the vigilance of the accountant at the pizzeria chain. On December 3, while closing the accounts for the restaurant located in Grand-Baie, he noticed a shortfall of Rs 46,894 in the sales revenue.

Curious, the accountant reviewed the various payments recorded and discovered that between November 19 and 30, ten deliveries had been made for a total amount of Rs 36,202, with no corresponding payments credited to the restaurant's account.

Despite this, ten payment references appeared in the system, originating from a phone number starting with 5713, not from official MCB texts. The scam was then clear: the fraudsters had created fake payment confirmation messages.

The accountant also noted that in some cases, fictitious overpayments had been reported. During deliveries, the delivery personnel were asked to refund amounts totaling Rs 10,692. All transaction records were handed over to the Grand-Baie police.

Meanwhile, the Grand-Baie police had received a complaint on December 11 from the manager of a local store. He reported sales of two bicycles, dolls, caps, Christmas decorations, micro-SD cards, and lawnmowers, among other items, for a total of Rs 36,551.

On December 10, while checking the Juice payment receipts on his phone, the merchant realized that four transactions made in November and December had not been confirmed by the MCB. The messages actually came from two private numbers starting with 5451 and 5741.

Upon checking his bank account, the owner found that payments of Rs 5,970, Rs 6,046, Rs 8,335, and Rs 16,200, which were supposed to be credited to the store's account, had never been made. When questioning his employees, he learned that an individual had repeatedly claimed that payments had been made via Juice. A complaint was then filed.

Furthermore, a delivery person had also been caught up in this scam last month. On November 18, he had gone to La Croisette to deliver an Origimo 18 Ultra Max tablet, two M-Horse Hot 30 Plus phones, a Smart Barry HT88 projector, and four Awei TZ18 earbuds.

After receiving the goods, the customer claimed that his brother would make the payment via Juice. However, no payment was made, and the buyer fled with the items.

In response to the increase in cases of "Falsely Obtaining Credit," "Electronic Fraud," and theft, and noticing a similar modus operandi, the DCIU of the Northern Division launched a thorough investigation. This led to the identification of three suspects: Levi Abimaeel Allegariee, 22, Adrien A, 28, and Marie Stefi Megane B, 21.

Hailing from Bambous, the three individuals resided in a house in Camp L’Amour, Grand-Baie. Investigators suspect that this house was rented solely to facilitate their fraudulent activities in the North of the island.

During a search of this house, police seized various items, including a karaoke system, a smartwatch, a hair clipper, earbuds, children's toys, Christmas decorations, a PlayStation, bed linens, and pairs of Ipanema brand flip-flops. These items were allegedly acquired through the scam.

During questioning by the investigators from the Grand-Baie Criminal Investigation Division (CID), under the supervision of Inspector Mootoo, Levi Abimaeel Allegariee admitted his involvement in these three cases. Some of the products have been recovered. The suspect was also wanted on an arrest warrant issued by the Curepipe court.

With the assistance of his two alleged accomplices, he is suspected of committing other similar cases of fraud and theft across the country. Following their interrogation, Adrien A and Marie Stefi Megane B were allowed to return home, while Levi Abimaeel Allegariee remains in custody at the Piton Detention Centre.

The police investigation continues after the dismantling of this network specializing in fake payments via the Juice app.