KEY POINTS
- Two suspects, aged 35 and 38, were arrested for allegedly withdrawing R7 million from ATMs in the Western Cape using specialised software and disguises.
- A multi-disciplinary police operation, involving the Hawks and Western Cape commercial crimes unit, led to their interception near Peddie in the Eastern Cape.
- The arrest highlights the growing issue of ATM fraud in South Africa, prompting calls for enhanced security measures in the banking and cash-in-transit industries.
Two suspects, aged 35 and 38, have been arrested in connection with a sophisticated ATM fraud scheme that allegedly siphoned at least R7 million from ATMs across the Western Cape.
According to IOL, the duo was intercepted near Peddie in the Eastern Cape on Monday following a multi-disciplinary, intelligence-driven operation led by the East London Serious Organised Crime Investigation team.
According to Eastern Cape police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Avele Fumba, the suspects are believed to have used specialised software to illegally withdraw cash from ATMs serviced by Fidelity Cash Solutions.
“One of the suspects would allegedly disguise himself as a Fidelity security guard, armed with a rifle, to create the illusion of legitimate ATM servicing,” Fumba revealed.
This elaborate ruse allowed the suspects to operate undetected for an extended period, withdrawing large sums of money from multiple locations.
The investigation gained momentum when the Western Cape police, under the commercial crimes unit, activated the Hawks in the Eastern Cape after suspicions arose that the suspects had relocated to the province. “Acting swiftly, further information revealed that the Hawks tracked the suspects to a guest house in East London.
However, they had already left the site and were travelling in a white Toyota Fortuner towards Peddie,” Fumba explained. The multi-disciplinary team intercepted the vehicle on the N2 highway, leading to the arrest of the suspects.
A search of the vehicle uncovered a laptop containing fraudulent ATM-access software and other crucial evidence linking the suspects to the scam. The duo is set to appear in the East London Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday before being transferred to the Western Cape to face charges.
The broader impact of ATM fraud in South Africa
ATM fraud has become a growing concern in South Africa, with criminals employing increasingly sophisticated methods to bypass security measures.
According to the South African Banking Risk Information Centre (SABRIC), incidents of card fraud and ATM scams have risen significantly in recent years, costing the banking industry billions annually.
The arrest of these suspects highlights the ongoing efforts by law enforcement to combat such crimes.
Major General Mboiki Obed Ngwenya, provincial head of the Hawks in the Eastern Cape, assured the public that the unit remains committed to dismantling criminal syndicates.
“We will continue to work tirelessly to ensure that those responsible for economic crimes are brought to justice,” Ngwenya stated.
The case has also raised questions about the security measures employed by cash-in-transit companies and banks. Fidelity Cash Solutions, the company targeted in this scam, has yet to release an official statement regarding the breach.
However, industry experts suggest that this incident may prompt a review of existing protocols to prevent similar occurrences in the future.
