Monday, May 12, 2025 - A Nigerian man, Prince Calvin Jackson, who allegedly posed as a job seeker to carry out an alleged daring scheme of theft and extortion, has been arrested in South Africa.
Jackson allegedly stole several car keys from more than five
panel beaters in Cape Town and Gauteng, then blackmailed the workshop owners,
demanding R1,000 for the release of each key.
Investigators said once inside the workshops, Jackson would
sneak into key storage rooms, steal the keys and later contact the business
owners with ransom demands.
Authorities believe the thefts started in 2023, with several
panel beaters falling victim before Jackson was arrested last week.
A victim from Centurion, Tshwane, who asked not to be named,
said Jackson claimed to be an experienced auto repairer, and later stole seven
keys from the shop.
“He later called and said I should send the money [R8,000]
via cash send. I paid him R3,000 and [then] I went to the police because I did
not have the [remaining] R5,000,” he said.
“We had to inform our clients and offer to cut new keys for
them,” the panel beater said. “Luckily, they understood because they’ve known
me over the years.”
A police source told Sowetan that Jackson is linked to more
than four similar cases.
Gauteng police spokesperson Capt Tintswalo Sibeko confirmed
Jackson’s arrest, while Cape Town police spokesperson Lt-Col Malcolm Pojie said
that a similar case had been registered against Jackson with the Strand police.
Police registered a theft case for further investigation
after an incident that occurred on 3 March 2025.
"Reports reveal that the complainant was at the
workshop when the suspect came inside. It is alleged the suspect was about to
be employed when he left with six car keys,” he said.
0 Comments