11 cases of ATM fraud reported in Roodepoort

The Western Suburbs Roodepoort Neighbourhood Watch (WSRNW) released a statement on the 11 recorded incidents that they are aware of since August last year, Roodepoort Record reported.

The centre has reportedly earned a bad reputation for the ATMs on the outside of its entrances. WSRNW Chairman Matthys van Rensburg said: “As you can imagine, we don’t know of every single case of card theft or fraud at the centre. Other reported incidents include card thefts at the ATMs by a group of three suspects reportedly neatly dressed and robbery shortly after drawing money at the ATMs.”

The Building owner, Costa Sardianos said he has never received a direct complaint concerning the ATMs outside the entrances. Roodeport police spokesperson Warrant Officer Nonhlanhla Khumalo said police haven’t received any formal complaints about ATM fraud at the centre.

“We urge the victims to come and lodge complaints so as police could conduct investigations,” added Khumalo. Last month, a woman in Krugersdorp, Gauteng, warned residents about two “friendly” men who stole her month’s salary three minutes after “assisting” her at an ATM in a shop along Rustenburg Street.

It is believed the woman went back to her vehicle after the ATM she was using was not working. She was about to get into her car when the man who was standing in the queue behind her approached her and told her the machine was working again.

“All of a sudden my pin was displayed boldly on the screen,” said the victim.

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She repeatedly pressed “cancel”, but her card would not eject. The victim reportedly called the bank to stop her card, which she believed was stuck in the machine at that time, but it was too late. Shortly afterwards, all the money in her account was withdrawn.

This after a woman was conned of R4 000 after accepting help from a man at an Absa ATM in a shopping complex in Midrand, north of Johannesburg.

– Caxton News Service