New hijacking trend emerges

Sgt Godin Nyahti, spokesperson for the Actonville SAPS, warned motorists that a new hijacking trend has surfaced.

According to Nyahti, the trend has hijackers taking the vehicle as well as the driver to a remote area, where they use this time to access the victim’s cellphone banking application to increase daily withdrawal limits.

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“On March 17, at 19:45, a Leachville man driving a BMW was hijacked near Wattville by four armed men wearing hoodies and masks,” he said.

“The assailants put the victim into the boot of an unidentified maroon vehicle and drove to a veld in Vosloorus Extension 25. He was instructed to use his banking app to increase the daily limits. He further had to hand over all his bank cards and PINs.”

He was left in the veld but later learnt that withdrawals were made from his bank accounts.

The suspects left the scene with his vehicle, wallet, cellphone and laptop. The vehicle was later recovered in Vosloorus.

Nyahti said criminals know you have all your vital information stored on your mobile device and is using intimidation, violence and fear to get access to it.

“We urge motorists to be vigilant and to avoid dangerous areas, where possible,” he said.

“Products and services meant for improving your lifestyle and granting you easy access to your banking is being used by criminals who will stop at nothing to get their hands on your hard-earned money.”

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