Vosloorus CPF informs community on bank-following and ATM crime
According to Ramohapi, since they started with the campaigns a few months ago, these crimes have decreased, but there are still a few cases of such crimes that are reported at the police station.
Vosloorus CPF, in collaboration with SAPS, South African Banking Risk and Information Centre (SABRIC) and Johannesburg Vosloorus Taxi Association (JVTA), hosted a bank-following and ATM crimes awareness campaign at the Chris Hani Crossing Mall in Vosloorus on November 22.
Speaking on behalf of Vosloorus CPF, Jerry Ramohapi said the purpose of this campaign was to make the public aware of the above-mentioned crimes.
“I have spoken to the bank staff and they have confirmed that people are very careful with their money now,” said Ramohapi.
Speaking on behalf of bank officials who attended the campaign, the specialist investigator, who wished to remain anonymous, at one of the banks agreed with Ramohapi.
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“It is true. We had quite a number of crime reports between January and June. But since the campaigns started in June, there is zero bank-following and ATM crimes reported, especially since the arrest the SAPS made on October 3.
“I think it is because the bank staff members are now aware of how these criminals are operating. They are extra careful if they see someone acting strangely inside the bank.
“We as the banks will continue to work hand in hand with the police in solving these types of crimes. But we still need our clients to be very careful when withdrawing money from the ATMs or inside the banks,” said the specialist investigator.
She thanked the SAPS, community policing forum (CPF), patrollers and SABRIC for the successful campaigns and for making their clients aware of how these criminals operate.
Ramohapi was pleased as they are winning the fight against bank-following and ATM crimes.
“The crime has decreased, but we still want to urge the community to be extra careful when withdrawing large sums of money. They can make arrangements with the police station so they can be escorted immediately after the money has been withdrawn,” said Ramohapi.
Phindile Mahuwo, one of the community members who passed by one of the gates where the campaign was conducted, told this publication she was excited about what the law enforcement agency from the township was doing.
“I think what is happening here is really going to assist the community. We are tired of seeing people crying after being robbed of their hard-earned money. I hope people listen to what they are told,” Mahuwo said.
Another member of the community, Doctor Kubheka from Extension Eight, advised stokvel members to use electronic transfers to share their money.
“In most cases where stokvels are robbed, there is suspicion of it being inside jobs. To prevent this we advise people to make good use of electronic transfer, then everyone’s money will be safe,” said Kubheka.
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