Crooks target stokvel, bonus payments this time of year
Police warn that elderly are being targeted by criminals disguised as harmless people offering “help” at ATMs.
While December is a jolly month, criminals posing as bank officials or offering help at ATMs can quickly bring despair to their victims by stealing their money.
Recently, three men robbed two men from a social club in Soshanguve of nearly R200 000 at Wonderpark shopping centre, north of Pretoria.
READ: Shopper and robber shot during R200k robbery at Pretoria mall
The victims were allegedly depositing the cash into an ATM.
One of the victims later shot and injured a suspect in an vain attempt to stop him from escaping with the money.
The suspects fled the crime scene with the money and in the aftermath, it was discovered that a shopper has sustained a bullet wound to the leg.
Police anticipate cash robberies will increase during the festive season.
Garsfontein police spokesperson Warrant-Officer Duane Lightfoot warned that elderly people east of Pretoria were being targeted by criminals disguised as harmless “helpers” at ATMs.
The criminals use a popular modus operandi of pretending to help unsuspecting victims who have problems withdrawing money from ATMs. He said often during “helping”, the victim’s card is exchanged or stolen.
“Money is then withdrawn from their accounts or fraudulent payments are made via the internet.”
In an endeavour to curb this crime, Lightfoot said police with the help of patrollers from the community, would patrol where ATMs are at shopping malls to intensify visibility.
“We want to urge the community to be vigilant when using autobanks.”
Lightfoot said criminals disguised as bank officials also robbed people in a fake bank call scam. A Silver Lakes resident lost R65 000 in an online vehicle sale scam in August.
Garsfontein police provided the following safety tips:
– Use an ATM inside the shopping centre where security guards are present.
– Do not accept any help from strangers, rather ask for assistance from a bank official.
– Before putting your card back into your wallet or purse, make sure it is indeed yours.
– If you are a senior citizen, bring a younger person you trust when you go banking.
– Keep your bank telephone number handy. This number is normally displayed somewhere on or close to the ATM.
– Immediately block your card when you discover you have been scammed.
– Notify your bank about the incident as soon as possible.
– Should you be called by a bank official, first verify their identity by phoning the bank on their landline.
– Never reveal your PIN code to anyone. The bank will never require it from you.
ALSO READ: Social clubs should not carry large amounts of money, police warn
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