PROJECT: WARNING - NEVER LEND OUT PERSONAL BELONGINGS
- Isabel Spies
- 5 days ago
- 5 min read
PLEASE SHARE THIS PUBLIC DOCUMENT
In South Africa’s current crime climate, safeguarding your personal belongings, accounts,
and identity is more important than ever. Lending them out—whether to friends, family, or strangers—
can expose you to fraud, exploitation, and serious legal consequences.
Criminals exploit trust, poverty, and community values,
turning ordinary people into unwitting accomplices in crime.
WHY YOU NEVER LEND OUT YOUR BELONGINGS:
1. BREAKING THE CHAIN OF EVIDENCE:
When your bank account, cell phone SIM, or vehicle is used in illegal activities, the law presumes you are responsible.
Investigators will trace the evidence back to you, making it extremely difficult to prove your innocence.
2. BECOMING INVOLVED IN CRIMES UNKNOWINGLY:
Fraudsters often borrow cars, devices, or accounts to commit crimes like theft, kidnapping, drug smuggling, or money laundering.
Even if you have no knowledge of the crime, you may still be investigated, arrested, or prosecuted.
3. RISK OF MISREPRESENTATION:
Your personal details or property can be used to impersonate you.
This will damage your reputation, financial record, and legal standing—sometimes permanently.
4. TRUST IS NOT A DEFENCE IN LAW:
South African courts do not excuse negligence.
Even if you trusted the borrower or acted out of kindness, you remain legally accountable if your belongings were misused.
5. EMPLOYMENT AND ONLINE SCAMS:
Fake job offers and “work from home” schemes often involve criminals asking you to use your bank account to receive payments.
This makes you a money mule, which is a criminal offence.
According to the South African Banking Risk Information Centre (SABRIC), billions of rands are lost annually through mule accounts, with victims often being young people desperate for income.
EXAMPLES:
BANK ACCOUNT ABUSE:
In 2023, SABRIC warned that university students were being recruited to “lend” their accounts for small payments.
Many were later arrested for money laundering.
VEHICLE MISUSE:
In Durban, multiple cases have been reported where borrowed vehicles were later linked to hijackings, drug smuggling, and robberies.
Owners were investigated together with the criminals.
CELL PHONE SIM CARDS:
Fraud syndicates regularly buy or borrow SIM cards to run scams.
The legal SIM owner is traced and could face charges under the Cybercrimes Act.
THE LEGAL IMPLICATIONS:
MONEY LAUNDERING (POCA):
Assisting criminals by providing accounts, vehicles, or property is punishable by up to 30 years’ imprisonment or multi-million rand fines.
FRAUD AND THEFT CHARGES:
Lending belongings that facilitate a crime may carry the same penalty as committing the crime itself.
CYBERCRIMES ACT (2021):
Sharing login details or allowing unauthorised use of electronic devices can result in fines and prison time.
NATIONAL ROAD TRAFFIC ACT:
Vehicle owners remain liable for crimes committed using their cars.
Police may impound the vehicle permanently.
CIVIL LIABILITY:
Victims of fraud or theft may sue you if your property was used to cause financial loss.
WHY THIS PROBLEM PERSISTS:
Many South Africans are raised with values of ubuntu, trust, and generosity.
Criminals exploit these cultural traits, knowing that people may feel obligated to help a friend, neighbour, or relative.
The law does not protect you when that trust is abused.
HOW TO PROTECT YOURSELF:
Never share your PINs, passwords, or banking details.
Do not allow others to use your bank account, phone, SIM card, or vehicle.
Verify job offers or online opportunities carefully before sharing personal information.
Enable alerts on your bank accounts and devices to detect suspicious activity quickly.
Keep a record if lending physical items like tools or equipment—never accounts, cars, or financial instruments.
Report suspicious activity immediately to SAPS, your bank, or the Hawks.
In South Africa, you are legally accountable for your own belongings and accounts.
Lending them out may implicate you in serious crimes—from fraud to organised crime.
Protect yourself, your reputation, and your future: say no to risky requests, no matter who asks.
If you suspect you are being targeted, contact:
SAPS Crime Stop – 08600 10111
The Hawks (DPCI) – for serious organised crime
Your bank’s fraud hotline – to block suspicious transactions
Your belongings are your responsibility.
Once they are used in a crime, the consequences fall on you, sometimes for life.
Do not risk your freedom, your finances, or your name.
Stay vigilant, stay cautious, and protect what is yours.
Specialised Security Services invites the public to the Mike Bolhuis Daily Projects WhatsApp Channel.
This channel is important in delivering insights into the latest crime trends, awareness, warnings and the exposure of criminals.
How to Join the WhatsApp Channel:
1. Make sure you have the latest version of WhatsApp on your device.
2. Click on the link below to join the Mike Bolhuis Daily Projects WhatsApp Channel:
3. Follow the prompts to join the channel.
4. Make sure you click on "Follow", then click on the "bell"-icon (🔔)
CONTACT MR MIKE BOLHUIS FOR SAFETY AND SECURITY MEASURES, PROTECTION, OR AN INVESTIGATION IF NEEDED.
ALL INFORMATION RECEIVED WILL BE TREATED IN THE STRICTEST CONFIDENTIALITY AND EVERY IDENTITY WILL BE PROTECTED.
Regards,
Mike Bolhuis
Specialist Investigators into
Serious Violent, Serious Economic Crimes & Serious Cybercrimes
PSIRA Reg. 1590364/421949
Mobile: +27 82 447 6116
E-mail: mike@mikebolhuis.co.za
Fax: 086 585 4924
Follow us on Facebook to view our projects -
EXTREMELY IMPORTANT: All potential clients need to be aware that owing to the nature of our work as specialist investigators there are people who have been caught on the wrong side of the law - who are trying to discredit me - Mike Bolhuis and my organisation Specialised Security Services - to get themselves off the hook. This retaliation happens on social media and creates doubt about our integrity and ability. Doubt created on social media platforms is both unwarranted and untrue. We strongly recommend that you make up your minds concerning me and our organisation only after considering all the factual information - to the exclusion of hearsay and assumptions. Furthermore, you are welcome to address your concerns directly with me should you still be unsatisfied with your conclusions. While the internet provides a lot of valuable information, it is also a platform that distributes a lot of false information. The distribution of false information, fake news, slander and hate speech constitutes a crime that can be prosecuted by law. Your own research discretion and discernment are imperative when choosing what and what not to believe.
STANDARD RULES APPLY: Upon appointment, we require a formal mandate with detailed instructions. Please take note that should you not make use of our services – you may not under any circumstance use my name or the name of my organisation as a means to achieve whatever end.
POPI ACT 4 of 2013 South Africa: Mike Bolhuis' "Specialised Security Services" falls under Section 6 of the act. Read more here: https://mikebh.link/fntdpv
SSS TASK TEAM:
Copyright © 2015- PRESENT | Mike Bolhuis Specialised Security Services | All rights reserved.
Our mailing address is:
Mike Bolhuis Specialised Security Services
PO Box 15075 Lynn East
Pretoria, Gauteng 0039
South Africa
Add us to your address book
THIS PUBLIC DOCUMENT WAS INTENDED TO BE SHARED, PLEASE DO SO.
