A 57-year-old Chinese fugitive has been arrested in Sandton, Johannesburg, after he was found hiding in South Africa while wanted for fraud in his home country.
Chinese Fugitive Sandton Arrest: Fraud Suspect Nabbed at US Embassy
This case was carried out by the South African Police Service (SAPS) with help from INTERPOL.
According to SAPS spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Amanda van Wyk, the suspect was located when he went to the United States embassy in Sandton to apply for a US visa.
During the application process, officials found that the man had an active Red Notice issued by INTERPOL.
A Red Notice is a global alert issued by INTERPOL, which tells police in all 195 member countries to help locate and arrest a person who is wanted in another country.
These notices are often used to catch criminals who try to run and hide in other countries.
Once his name was flagged in the system, the INTERPOL National Central Bureau (NCB) team in Pretoria moved quickly and arrested him on Tuesday, 22 July 2025.
The suspect appeared in the Randburg Magistrates Court on Wednesday, 23 July 2025. He now faces extradition — which means he could be sent back to China to face the charges against him.
He is wanted in connection with a fraud case in China, although further details about the case have not yet been made public.
The SAPS said that their INTERPOL extradition team continues to make progress in tackling international crime syndicates. These are groups that operate across different countries and are involved in illegal activities such as fraud, drug trafficking, and smuggling.
“This arrest is one of many examples showing that South Africa is not a safe haven for fugitives,” Van Wyk said.
She added that the SAPS is working closely with international police to make sure criminals do not escape justice by crossing borders.
Investigations are continuing to ensure the man is properly extradited and that all legal procedures are followed.