Linden Neighbourhood Watch (LNW) chairman Fareed Hoosen reported a robbery occurred at the First National Bank (FNB) ATM at the Northcliff Corner convenience centre. The incident took place 31 October and is not the first to be reported to LNW. The area appears to be a hotspot since there are no security cameras in the vicinity.
According to Hoosen, a Linden resident approached the FNB ATM whereupon a man told him to use the nearby Standard Bank ATM as FNB’s was not working. While using the ATM, the man grabbed his card and hid it on his person. The resident managed to retrieve his card, but a women beside him was not so lucky. She had her card stolen while drawing money.
“She thought the machine swallowed her card but actually the man’s friend fooled her and then drove off in a car with no number plates,” Hoosen explained.
The security guard was questioned and informed the watch that the night security had been threatened with death should guards interfere with criminal’s “work” at the ATM. The guard added that at least 10 cards are stolen at weekends.
Linden SAPS spokesperson Ndivhuwo Carol Mulamu said, “An incident such as this has been reported once to our police station, police are aware of this and are still looking for the suspect. I am yet to investigate with the Linden police if there have been any other reports”.
Mulamu advised anyone using an ATM to be extremely alert and not accept help from anyone, barring a security guard or bank employee.
Hoosen has promised to send the report to FNB’s head office. Residents have been asked to spread the word and to be careful when withdrawing money at ATMs. LNW and the Linden police have increased patrols in the area.
Details: Linden Neighbourhood Watch 078 740 0396, Linden police station 011-8889211
