Scammers target pensioner at mall with fake pension card offer
A pensioner lost jewellery, cash and ID after falling for a scam at the Mall@Carnival. Her granddaughter was injured trying to stop the theft.
Pensioner Lydia Adendorff fell victim to a scam at the Mall@Carnival when two fraudsters posing as officials promised her a special pensioner’s card if she followed them.
The scammers first lured Adendorff to the Wimpy, where they spoke to her about the card she would apply for, claiming she needed to “look poor” to qualify.
They convinced her to remove her jewellery and put it in her handbag, then told her to leave her bag with one of them while she returned to Pick n Pay, where she first met them, to fill in paperwork.
However, her granddaughter, Kayla Pretorius, became suspicious and held onto the bag. A physical struggle ensued, during which the scammers ripped the bag from her hands, injuring one of her fingers.
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The stolen bag contained jewellery, cash, bank cards, a cellphone, ID, a driver’s licence and house keys – a major loss for the family. A rattled Lydia said she couldn’t believe how easily she complied with the scammers’ instructions.
The family reported the crime to the mall security, management and the SAPS. However, the police reportedly said they could not open a robbery case since the bag was voluntarily handed over, according to Lydia’s daughter, Liesl Pretorius.
The Mall@Carnival has since issued a warning, urging shoppers not to trust strangers with their valuables, stressing that such scams are difficult to detect and happen quickly.
“This is a common issue in public shopping centres. Thieves exploit busy spaces and vulnerable people. We’ve worked with the SAPS before to bust syndicates, but this appears to be a new group,” said centre manager Erna Vermaak.
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Constable Audrey Buthelezi, the Brakpan SAPS Sector 1 manager and corporate communications officer, confirmed similar scams targeting pensioners are on the rise.
“The SAPS is aware of ongoing criminal trends and wishes to caution the public, specifically pensioners, to be on alert and avoid falling victim to scams.
“The scammers impersonate Postbank or SASSA officials and aim to obtain card details and PINs, while claiming to fix a glitch on the card. They also use fear tactics, suggesting the pensioners will lose grant payments if they do not co-operate,” she explained.
“We urge pensioners not to share PINs or personal information with anyone in public, and never hand over valuables,” said Buthelezi.
Anyone suspecting pension fraud or related scams should contact the SAPS on 08600 10111 or Postbank on 0800 53 54 55.
