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Specialised Security Services received several complaints regarding knocks and scams
targeting wildlife hunting and accommodation packages. The details of the complaints were investigated,
and the culprit behind the scams was identified as the habitual criminal Hugo Ras.
SSS has been tracking Hugo Ras' extensive criminal career,
and our investigations have been instrumental in his arrest and subsequent conviction.
Read our previous projects for more context:
MODUS OPERANDI:
Hugo Ras is currently convicted and in prison at Baviaanspoort for fraud, poaching and unlicensed firearm possession.
While in prison, he has been scamming people by arranging wildlife hunting and hunting trips.
His modus operandi is as follows:
He uses fake names such as Willem Prinsloo, Jaco Viljoen Boerdery, and Ndlovu Wildlife Safaris.
He searches on Facebook for people looking to go hunting, then approaches them via social media, claiming to have hunting grounds where they can hunt any type of game, buffalo and other wildlife.
He contacts an actual wildlife hunting reserve, gathers information, obtains a pin location, and photographs of the accommodation.
He then shares this information with the people he finds on Facebook, making it seem like a legitimate hunting opportunity.
People book with him and make a substantial deposit into an account that he provides.
When the time for hunting comes, the people who booked go to the reserve.
However, the place's actual owner has no record of the booking or the funds paid.
These clients lose all their money, and not knowing that Ras is imprisoned and running a scam, they have no recourse.
Several complainants contacted SSS to assist in exposing this scam and identify the criminals behind the scenes.
SSS investigated the above and approached the Department of Correctional Services for assistance.
The DCS conducted a full-scale operation at Baviaanspoort Correctional Facility to identify these criminals, and they were able to confiscate several cell phones, iPads and memory sticks from the inmates at the specific cell where Hugo Ras were an inmate.
It was a professional and successful raid, and the inmates had no time to hide these items.
This information and confiscated items were handed over to the necessary authorities for further investigation, to gather the proper forensics to arrest the incriminated inmates for further sentences, and to combat these scams and technology from our prisons.
The Department of Correctional Services will also conduct further investigations to prevent corruption in all aspects of its facilities.
CELL PHONE NUMBERS USED BY HUGO RAS:
+27 63 125 2870
+27 65 802 0224
+27 69 196 5923
+27 83 373 6119
+27 67 718 8940
+27 83 954 1565
IF YOU HAVE BEEN CONTACTED BY ANY ONE OF THESE NUMBERS,
CONTACT OUR SPECIALIST INVESTIGATORS IMMEDIATELY.
FRAUDULENT INVOICE CREATED BY HUGO RAS:
HIS FRAUDULENT ADVERTISEMENTS ON FACEBOOK:
It is concerning that inmates are capable of orchestrating successful criminal operations from within South African prisons.
Therefore, it is evident that corruption within the prisons must be addressed comprehensively and urgently.
The South African prison system faces significant challenges that impact its effectiveness and the safety of inmates and staff.
OVERCROWDING:
South African prisons are notoriously overcrowded. Many facilities operate well beyond their capacity, with some holding double or even triple their intended number of inmates. This overcrowding leads to a host of problems:
Health Risks:
Overcrowded conditions exacerbate the spread of diseases, including tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS, which are already prevalent in prison populations.
Safety Concerns:
The lack of space increases tensions among inmates, often leading to violence and conflicts.
This strain also affects the ability of staff to maintain order.
Limited Access to Resources:
With more inmates than facilities can handle, access to essential services like healthcare, education, and rehabilitation programs is severely restricted.
STAFFING ISSUES:
The prison service is critically understaffed, with too few warders to manage the large inmate population effectively. Moreover, the situation is worsened by:
High Turnover and Experience Gap:
Many experienced warders have left the department, leading to a significant gap in expertise and leadership.
The high turnover also means fewer seasoned professionals to mentor and guide less experienced staff.
Unskilled Warders:
Many new or less experienced warders lack the necessary training and skills to handle complex prison dynamics, which further strains the system.
LOW WAGES AND CORRUPTION:
Warders, particularly those on lower levels, often receive low wages. This financial strain makes them vulnerable to:
Corruption and Bribery:
Insufficient pay can lead some warders to accept bribes from inmates or their families.
This corruption undermines the integrity of the prison system and can contribute to a general atmosphere of lawlessness.
Neglect of Duties:
Financial pressures might also lead to a lack of commitment or diligence in their responsibilities, worsening prison conditions.
INADEQUATE FACILITIES:
Many South African prisons suffer from inadequate facilities, which affects the well-being of inmates and can fuel further criminal activity:
Broken Infrastructure:
Essential facilities, such as telephones for inmate communication with their families, are often in disrepair.
This lack of access can lead inmates to seek alternative, illegal means of communication, such as smuggling cell phones into the prison.
Illicit Activities:
The lack of proper facilities creates opportunities for illicit activities, such as using illegal cell phones.
These phones can facilitate criminal operations, including coordinating outside crimes and intimidating witnesses.
CRIMINAL NETWORKS WITHIN PRISONS:
The shortcomings in the prison system have given rise to complex criminal networks operating within the facilities:
Mafia Syndicates and Gangs:
Organised crime groups often use prisons as a base for their operations, conducting scams, drug trafficking, and extortion from behind bars.
The lack of effective oversight allows these groups to maintain and expand their influence.
Extortion and Intimidation:
The presence of these criminal networks facilitates extortion and intimidation, both inside the prison and in the outside community.
This cycle of crime perpetuates itself as inmates are drawn deeper into criminal activities and exert influence over others.
Criminal syndicates within the prisons operate with sophistication and efficiency, leveraging the prison system's flaws to further their illegal enterprises.
FORMATION AND OPERATION OF SYNDICATES:
Recruitment and Influence:
Recruitment:
Syndicates often recruit inmates upon their arrival in prison.
Vulnerable or new inmates are targeted and coerced into joining gangs or criminal groups.
Recruitment can involve threats of violence, promises of protection, or the offering of illicit privileges.
Influence:
Established gang members exert significant influence over other inmates.
They often control various aspects of prison life, including the distribution of goods, protection rackets, and the management of illicit activities.
Control and Hierarchy:
Organisational Structure:
These criminal syndicates typically have a hierarchical structure, with leaders who control operations from within the prison and coordinate with external contacts.
This hierarchy ensures efficient management of their illicit activities.
Specialisations:
Members may have specialised roles, such as handling drugs, managing extortion operations, or facilitating communication with outside accomplices.
This specialisation helps the syndicates operate more effectively and maintain control.
CRIMINAL ACTIVITIES INSIDE PRISONS:
Drug Trafficking:
Distribution:
Syndicates are heavily involved in the smuggling and distribution of drugs within prisons.
They often use sophisticated methods to conceal drugs, such as hiding them in food, clothing, or personal belongings.
Control:
The control of drug distribution can lead to violence and power struggles among inmates.
It also extends the influence of these syndicates both within the prison and into the broader criminal world outside.
Extortion and Racketeering:
Protection Rackets:
Gangs often run protection rackets, extorting money from other inmates in exchange for protection or special privileges.
This extortion extends to threatening violence against those who refuse to comply.
Blackmail:
Inmates may be coerced into paying for "protection" or other services, or their families may be extorted for money or goods.
The control exerted by these syndicates ensures compliance and silence.
Smuggling and Illegal Communication:
Cell Phones and Communication:
Illegal cell phones are smuggled into prisons, enabling syndicates to coordinate criminal activities both inside and outside the prison.
These phones facilitate communication with the outside world, including orchestrating crimes and managing illicit operations.
Contraband:
Syndicates also control the flow of other contraband items, such as weapons and luxury goods.
The smuggling of such items often involves corrupt staff and complex concealment methods.
EXTERNAL CRIMINAL ACTIVITIES:
Coordination with Outside Criminals:
Syndicates often maintain links with external criminal networks, facilitating activities such as drug trafficking, violent crime, and organised theft.
Extended Influence:
The criminal influence of these syndicates extends beyond the prison walls, affecting communities and contributing to broader criminal networks operating in society.
IF YOU HAVE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION REGARDING HUGO RAS' CRIMINAL ACTIVITIES
OR ANY OTHER RELEVANT INFORMATION, CONTACT OUR SSS SPECIALIST TASK TEAM:
MR WERNER KOEKEMOER
Contact number: +27 82 820 3680
Email address: werner@mikebolhuis.co.za
MR KOOS GERBER
Contact number: +27 82 952 6909
Email address: koosg@mikebolhuis.co.za
Specialised Security Services invites the public to the Mike Bolhuis Daily Projects WhatsApp Group.
This group is important in delivering insights into the latest crime trends, awareness, warnings and the exposure of criminals.
HOW TO JOIN THE MIKE BOLHUIS DAILY PROJECTS WHATSAPP GROUP:
Follow the link to our WhatsApp group:
"JOIN" to ensure you never miss our daily updates.
You will receive automatic notifications as soon as a new project is posted.
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
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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
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