While kidnapping and extortion cases are on the rise, a new emerging trend sees criminals preying on families of missing persons trying to sell them information that turns out to be fake.

The statistics show that KZN and Gauteng account for most of the ransom and extortion-related cases in the country.

The data includes 135 ransom demands, 30 cases of extortion, and eight linked to human trafficking, with Gauteng reporting 81 cases and KZN 15.

Missing persons sometimes found dead

Prem Balram, spokesperson for Reaction Unit South Africa (Rusa), said over 15 missing persons cases were reported in August alone.

He added that some of these individuals were later found.

“Some are found dead in fields or bushes. Some are held hostage for ransom,” Balram explained.

False information to extort money

In one recent incident, Minenhle Manyoni (22) was declared missing when he did not return from school on August 20.

According to his brother, Manelisi (20), Minenhle is currently a student at the College of Cape Town City Campus and was not at home when he said he was.

“Our family is originally from Pietermaritzburg. My brother and I attend school in Cape Town so I was the first to notice that he had gone missing,” said Manyoni.

Manyoni said his brother was having mental health problems at the time of his disappearance.

Minenhle’s mother, Duduzile, said they were inundated with calls claiming to have information about their son’s disappearance.

“We have received phone calls and messages from people claiming to have my son held captive or that they know where he is. In return for telling us they wanted money.”

She said they did not give banking details but instead asked for the money via Cash Send or similar that cannot be traced back to them.

Families of missing persons targeted

Brad Nathanson, a private investigator, said he has seen an increase in people contacting families of missing people demanding money for information or claiming to have that person held hostage.

“In a recent missing person’s case that I was investigating, the family received a phone call where the caller demanded R50 000 in exchange for information on their son.”

“These were scammers who were using the families’ desperation for personal gain,” said Nathanson.

Copycat syndicates are increasing

Chad Thomas, an organised crime investigator from IRS Forensic Investigations, confirmed that kidnappings for ransom are on the rise.

“We are seeing a rise in kidnap-for-ransom cases for multiple reasons, with one of the main causes being a surge in so-called copycat syndicates entering the lucrative kidnapping market.”

He added, “The low rate of convictions is a key factor. Criminals feel emboldened when they see little to no chance of being held accountable for their crimes.”

Primary motive for kidnappings is to solicit money

KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi also addressed the kidnapping issue during a community crime prevention imbizo in Impendle.

He noted that the police have been successful in addressing several kidnapping cases in recent weeks, saying, “These are mostly organised crimes. People are not kidnapped without reason. The primary motive is often to solicit money.”

Mkhwanazi gave an example of how beneficiaries of the Road Accident Fund, after receiving substantial pay-outs, sometimes flaunt their newfound wealth in taverns.

“A friend may then kidnap them and force them to withdraw the money from their account,” he said.

He said that while kidnappings in KZN are not as severe as in other provinces, the police are working to ensure that the situation remains under control.