In efforts to thwart scamming fraudsters and criminal elements targeting tourists over the festive period, areas with the highest foot traffic and tourist “hotspots” in the CBD will be prioritised to maintain safety throughout the holiday period.
This comes after two British tourists were scammed in the CBD by three fraudsters in Queen Victoria Street who made off with their credit card and tried to withdraw cash from it.
The Cape Town Central City Improvement District (CCID) Safety and Security manager, Jurie Bruwer said the tourists alerted a CCID public safety officer to the incident on Friday.
“The fraudsters, posing as security guards, convinced the couple that they needed a “permit” to walk in the street and the permit could be obtained by entering their credit card PIN into a numeric device which they had attached to a wall.
“The tourists noticed the fraudsters were wearing reflective bibs just after they made off with the visitors’ bank card. Soon thereafter, attempts were made to withdraw money from the card but fortunately these were declined by the tourists’ bank,” said Bruwer. The fraudsters made off in a white vehicle.
“Credit card scams are a huge concern. There is a special joint operation in place with our Law Enforcement partners to tackle this ongoing scourge,” Bruwer said.
Bruwer said the modus operandi of criminals involves them dressing up as security guards and convincing unsuspecting tourists that they need a “permit” to walk in the CBD.
“They then inform the tourists that while the permit is free, it can be obtained using a credit card. They hold up a numeric device or stick it to a wall in a secluded area, and watch as the tourist types in their PIN.
Within seconds, the card is passed to an accomplice who disappears in a waiting vehicle and money withdrawn,” said Bruwer.
Cape Town Tourism chief executive, Enver Duminy, said safety, security and crime in Cape Town present a serious challenge when it comes to tourism in what is a popular destination for tourists from all over the world.
“Residents and visitors are urged always to apply common sense when out and about.”
SAPS spokesperson FC van Wyk said the Safer Festive Season operational plan has been launched.
“Static, integrated deployments, supplemented by high-density patrols involving SAPS specialised units in conjunction with other law enforcement entities and counterparts such as Traffic, City of Cape Town Law
Enforcement and LEAP were initiated,” said Van Wyk.
Van Wyk advised of precautionary measures.
• Always make enquiries or ask for directions from legitimate sources, eg. SAPS, Metro / Traffic officers.
• Never leave your luggage unattended unless it is locked away.
• Always keep your valuables out of display.
• Stay away from dark areas.
• If in doubt about the safety of an area, phone a police station for advice and help
Report crime on SAPS Crime Stop on 08600 10111.
Cape Times