Remote-jamming scam on the rise at local shopping centres

LYDENBURG – Crime statistics have revealed that the car remote-jamming scam is becoming rife at local shopping centres. Local police said the community should be vigilant when they locked their cars to avoid falling victim to the scam.

“Motorists must ensure that they physically check if their car is locked when they leave their vehicles in the parking areas if they use a remote, to avoid break-ins with no visible force of entry,” said Lydenburg SAPS spokesman, Sgt Elizabeth Selwaletau Magoa.

Magoa said the criminals used regular remote controls so that it could interfere with the vehicle’s. The remotes were set at the same frequency as the vehicle’s, and therefore it would jam the frequency, preventing the electronic central-locking system from operating successfully.

The owner would walk away thinking the car was locked and while they were gone the perpetrators would open the car and steal items inside.

A man was robbed of his valuables a week ago while he was in the store. The incident was captured on video footage at one of the local shopping centres.

However, the criminals’ faces could not be seen, but one could clearly see what they were doing and how they stole the valuables.

The police would also like to warm tourists about a scam in which criminals force them to pay a toll fee.

“The criminals normally stand at the local Nedbank and Standard Bank ATMs and demand money from holidaymakers that visit the town in order to help them. We would like to urge travellers to contact the police if they find themselves in such a situation. If they need assistance, they must approach the safety tourist monitors or security guards in uniforms.

The safety tourist monitors are more visible because they wear black trousers with red T-shirts with ‘Tourist safety monitors,’ written on it,” she warned.

If there is anyone with information regarding the two warnings above, they can contact Sgt Magoa on 082-628-3172.