KEY POINTS
- Fake officers are scamming tourists in Gqeberha by demanding toll payments.
- The fraudsters target rental car users and try to steal their bank cards.
- Police urge tourists to stay alert and report any suspicious activity.
Gqeberha police have warned tourists about fraudsters posing as law enforcement officers. These criminals trick visitors into handing over their bank cards by pretending to collect road tolls.
The scam, which has been flagged by multiple victims, involves impostors wearing suits and carrying badges who demand toll payments at ATM machines.
How the toll scam operates
The scam came to light when former 702 radio host John Robbie shared his experience on X (formerly Twitter).
He recounted how a Volkswagen Golf suddenly cut him off after he picked up a rental car at Gqeberha Airport. Two men in suits, equipped with radios and badges, approached him and claimed they needed to activate an e-toll transponder at an ATM.
Robbie immediately suspected foul play and refused to comply. When he confronted the men about the legitimacy of their claim, they became aggressive and threatened to arrest him.
However, realizing their cover was blown, the suspects fled the scene. Robbie later reported the incident, but police confirmed that no formal case had been opened at that time.
Despite this, Captain Sandra Janse Van Rensburg, Eastern Cape Police spokesperson, confirmed that residents had reported similar incidents in the area.
According to her, the scammers typically wear black suits and display badges with a South African flag. They stop vehicles, especially those rented by tourists, and insist that road fees must be paid at specific ATM locations.
Victims who insert their bank cards often find them swallowed by the machine before the scammers disappear with their money.
Targeting unsuspecting tourists
Authorities believe the perpetrators specifically prey on visitors unfamiliar with local toll systems.
Reports indicate that the scam is primarily occurring in the Summerstrand area, a popular tourist district known for its beaches and accommodations.
Law enforcement is urging local hotel and bed-and-breakfast (B&B) owners to warn their guests about the fraudulent scheme.
Authorities advise tourists to remain cautious and avoid interacting with individuals claiming to collect road tolls in person. They also urge them to report any suspicious encounters immediately.
The South African Police Service (SAPS) has reiterated that no official road tolls require immediate cash or card payments on the spot.
Officials encourage travelers to verify any such claims before providing personal banking details.
