Two alleged card scammers arrested in Newlands
Prompt intervention by private security officers led to the recovery of multiple scanning devices and the seizure of a rental vehicle after two men were spotted targeting an elderly man in Pretoria.
An alleged bank card-scamming attempt involving an elderly man at a Newlands Shopping Centre on September 16 was thwarted.
Gerhard Rossouw, operations manager for CSI Security’s guarding unit, said officers spotted the two suspects at the shopping centre that morning and alerted the company’s control room.
“CSI’s Special Operations Unit, K9 Unit and Armed Response Unit were then dispatched to the scene, where officers monitored the suspects before intervening,” Rossouw said.
He claimed that officers observed the suspects targeting an elderly man in an alleged card-scanning attempt.
A tactical intervention followed, resulting in the arrest of both men. Officers intercepted the suspects before any funds could be withdrawn from the victim’s account.
According to Rossouw, officers recovered seven bank card-scanning devices and two cellphones from the suspects.
Brooklyn Police Station was notified and attended the scene.
Rental vehicle searched
Rossouw said the suspects identified the vehicle they had allegedly been using.
A further search by police and security officers allegedly uncovered additional devices believed to be linked to card-scamming activities.
“The two suspects and the vehicle, a Haval, were subsequently taken to Brooklyn Police Station for further investigation and profiling,” Rossouw said.
Rossouw said the vehicle was found to belong to a rental company.
CSI Security said the incident highlighted the importance of vigilance by security personnel and quick communication between guarding, control-room, armed-response and K9 teams.
The company commended the officers involved for their response, saying the co-ordinated operation helped disrupt the alleged criminal activity.
Residents are urged to remain vigilant at ATMs and when conducting banking transactions, particularly when approached by strangers offering assistance.
Court proceedings pending
Tshwane District Police spokesperson Captain Johan van Dyk confirmed the arrests.
Van Dyk said during the police profiling process, it was established that both suspects were already attending court proceedings relating to similar alleged offences.
He said the circumstances surrounding the September 16 incident would form part of the police investigation.
Police advise members of the public to avoid sharing bank card details or Pin numbers and to report suspicious activity to authorities.
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