Beware cellphone snatchers pretending to be cops
The bogus police stop school children, then flash out fake police cards and rob the children.
Residents in the east of Pretoria have been warned to be on the lookout for people pretending to be police officers only to rob unsuspecting victims of their phones.
Police said this disturbing trend, has already seen several unsuspecting individuals fall prey to the criminals’ disguise.
Spokesperson Warrant Officer Johan van Dyk said residents need to be aware of this to prevent further deception and the exploitation of authority for personal gain.
Van Dyk said their modus operandi is to stop next to children walking to school or home.
The “officers” then inform the school children that they are police officers and they need to check their cellphone.
He added that the suspects allegedly showed the children fake police cards.
“They would also say that the child should unlock the cellphone to prove they know the password.”
Van Dyk said after the children have fallen for the trap and the phone is unlocked, the suspect grabs it and drives away.
He said in the Silverton area they use different vehicles.
Van Dyk urged parents to instruct their children not to use their cellphones on public roads, especially while walking home from school.
“If they need to communicate with someone, they should rather wait at a mall, garage or safe place.”
He added that cellphones are expensive, and there is a big market for stolen cellphones.
Van Dyk gave these safety tips:
– Citizens must not walk with their cellphones in public but rather conceal or put them away in a bag.
– Do not walk while talking on your phone.
– Place your phone out of sight when driving your vehicle.
– Do not leave your cellphone unprotected.
– Do not walk and listen to music on your phone with earphones.
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