These cases were all committed in the last two weeks, with robbers targeting people with between R7 000 and R70 000.
Benoni Police Station acting station commander, Col Martin van Nieuwenhuizen, told the City Times spotters watch their victim’s every move in the bank.
He said they stand in the queue and pretend to be waiting in line at a teller.
Once their victim has withdrawn money, spotters on the street keep tabs on the identified person exiting the bank.
Van Nieuwenhuizen said these spotters inform accomplices in vehicles who then follow these people to a “suitable area” to rob them.
The acting station commander said all the victims handed money over and no one was injured.
In some of the cases, the robbers knew exactly where money was stashed in the victim’s car and on their person.
Van Nieuwenhuizen urged the public to make use of technology and avoid drawing large sums of money where possible.
In cases where this is not possible, van Nieuwenhuizen said people must exercise utmost caution and be aware of their surroundings.
Police believe the seven cases are linked.
