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Collaboration brings down ATM card scammers in Cape Town

Jonckie

On Saturday 9th of March, a German tourist was scammed in the Gardens area close to the CBD. A common trait by those targeting tourists, is to dress in “official uniforms,” then to inform their victims they are “needing a permit to walk on the street in Cape Town.”

Information was quickly put out and members from the Mayoral-project, Law Enforcement, responded along with the Cape Town Central Improvement District.

The vehicle used in the getaway was quickly identified and a high speed chase ensued, with the suspects knocking the CCID vehicle off the road. Eventually blocked in, all 4 suspects were arrested. The hired vehicle was driving with false numberplates and inside officers found various keypads used for recording their victims ATM pin, a two way security officers radio, clothing with security branding, a fake security officers ID card and numerous ATM cards.

The suspects were charged at Cape Town SAPS on counts including that of theft, fraud, possession of stolen property and reckless and negligent driving.

“Most concerning is the fact that one of the suspects has already been arrested 3 times in the last 9 years for ATM-related crimes, but continued to find loopholes in the criminal justice system that always saw him continue, undeterred. A growing trend around the world, we knew we had to do more. Last year we began working closely with the private banking sector and began receiving assistance in this regard, specifically on how to use legislation that ensures these types of charges stick.

For the sake of furthering our enforcement in this regard, we need to keep their identity confidential, but already we have professionals within the banking sector we can call upon day or night when the need arises,” said Alderman JP Smith. This elite unit often assists the SAPS investigators and the National Prosecuting Authority as well, helping to see justice served on those arrested for their crimes.

Speaking on the efforts of the Mayoral-project, Law Enforcement officers based in Cape Town CBD, Principle Inspector Ricardo Meyer was proud of the members achievements. “Our Tourism Unit is a very small unit, but we established it specifically to protect our valuable tourism industry for Cape Town, after we noted how many tourists were becoming victims within the CBD area.

We try to police the hotspots in the area, offering assistance to our tourists where possible, but when we get intel on known suspects operating in the area or a crime that has just gone down, it’s all hands on deck and all of our members across the Mayoral-project, work together along with our neighbourhood watches and CID’s, to try and bring those responsible to justice. This is just one success for ATM related crimes, we have already had so many similar ones, but I know our members are still going to do many more! Our tourism industry is a valuable source of job creation to so many residents across our City, some who rely in it as their only source of income. To criminals who think our tourists are easy targets, think again.”

JP Smith

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