Criminals pose as fake police in Durban CBD

CRIMINALS are impersonating police officers in central Durban in order to lure victims and rob them of their cash, bank cards, cellphones, jewellery or laptops.

The spokesperson for Durban Central SAPS, Captain Muzi Maphumulo, said there have been 18 of these incidents between January and May.

“Victims are getting robbed by fake police officers, and there have also been kidnapping incidents and fraud taking place,” he said.

In an incident that took place in January, a woman was forced to give up her bank card and PIN.

“One complainant, who was robbed, alleged that she was in the CBD, near a shopping centre, when an unknown man showed her money on the floor. The man said she should follow him so they could share the money. Then a white car pulled up with people inside who were pretending to be police. They showed fake IDs and then demanded the woman’s bank card and PIN. They withdrew about R6 000 and stole the woman’s cellphone,” said Maphumulo.

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Maphumulo said the same modus operandi has been used in several incidents.

“In a similar incident, a woman was in the CBD when an elderly woman approached her and informed her that there was money on the floor,” said Maphumulo.

He added that this trend is not only taking place in Durban, and in some incidents, fake police are forcing victims to log onto their cellphone banking app and transfer money.

“They take the victim from one place to another place in a vehicle and threaten them. Some look like they are carrying firearms,” said Maphumuo.

He urged the community to be vigilant.

Also read: SAPS seize counterfeits worth R400m at Durban Harbour

“Don’t fall into the ‘money dropping’ trap.  It has been all over for a few years now. Don’t follow unknown people. Also, be aware that a real police officer must be able to show you their appointment card which will be signed, but it can be difficult to tell if it is a real police officer or detective as some detectives use unmarked cars. The real issue is that people are falling into the trap of picking up the money,” said Maphumulo.

Human trafficking concerns

Maphumulo also highlighted another trend – possibly linked to human trafficking – where a vehicle will stop on the side of the road and a woman will be pulled inside. Maphumulo said people who witness this will not interfere because the criminals act and talk as though they know the woman.

“In one incident, a survivor told police that the criminals shouted, ‘She looks fresh; I want this one.’ This suggests that the criminals were plotting to rape or traffic the woman,” said Maphumulo.

He appealed to the community: “If you see someone getting dragged into a car, the community must inform the police immediately.”

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