Trend in card machine thefts continue to baffle authorities

Authorities are still trying to establish how thieves are monetising from stolen card machines following an increase in this crime around Durban.

There have been at least two incidents shared on social media depicting people stealing card machines at fast food outlets.

One incident was at a Debonairs Pizza shop in Overport and another at Fishaways in Umhlanga.   

In both the videos, which were shared on the eThekwini Secure Facebook page, the routine looks identical; the thieves buy something and when the cashier is looking away, they steal the empty card machine. 

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Last month Durban North SAPS station spokesperson, Capt Raymond Deokaran said they were unsure what criminals intend to do with the card machines. 

“We are still investigating how the criminals are monetising the thefts,” he said following a spike in card machine thefts at petrol stations in the area. 

“SABRIC (South African Banking Risk Information Centre) is aware of the prevalence of this phenomenon where POS devices are being stolen by criminals at retail outlets in KwaZulu-Natal. The banking industry is working closely with the SAPS to investigate these incidents. Because these investigations are still underway, SABRIC is unable to confirm the modus operandi at this time,” said Nischal Mewalall, Chief Executive Officer of SABRIC. 

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