Members of the Interpol bureau in Pretoria sniff out a wanted Chinese fugitive from his hideout in the posh suburb of Sandton, Johannesburg. Photo: Supplied

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A wanted Chinese fugitive has been nabbed by Interpol in Sandton after he brazenly applied for a visa at the United States of America embassy in Sandton, Johannesburg.

Interpol’s National Central Bureau, which is at the heart of the South African Police Service in Pretoria, effected the arrest.

It later issued a statement commending itself for ‘persistently recording commendable successes in dismantling transnational crime syndicates and arresting international fugitives in the country’.

This comes hot on the heels of the arrest this week of a 57-year-old Chinese fugitive who is reportedly linked to a case of fraud reported in China. The suspect was picked up on July 22 in Sandton.

According to a preliminary report, Interpol had circulated a red notice to all member countries to locate and provisionally arrest the Chinese national, who has not been named yet.

The local office of Interpol said wanted persons often flee to another country to evade their arrest and South Africa is currently considered by criminals as a haven.

The suspect reportedly applied for a VISA at the United States of America embassy in Sandton when his fugitive status was flagged, leading to his arrest on July 22.

The suspect made his first appearance in the Randburg Magistrates Court on July 23, and no mention was made on his pending extradition.