Police warn card users after man charged with ATM fraud

A 29-year-old man from KwaMashu, Durban, was arrested in the KwaDukuza area near Stanger for alleged bank card fraud and would appear in the KwaDukuza Magistrate’s Court tomorrow, police said.

The man was arrested by KwaDukuza police who followed up on information that he allegedly jammed his victim’s bank card in an ATM. The man then withdrew R5 000 from the victim’s account,

Major Thulani Zwane said the victim was withdrawing cash at about 7.30am on Friday when he was approached by the suspect who offered to help.

The victim accepted the offer, only to find his card had been jammed.

“The victim walked away and the suspect later withdrew cash from the victim’s account. When the victim received an SMS about withdrawals, he contacted the police and returned to the same ATM.”

A description of the suspect was given to the police and he was found at the ATM. When the suspect saw the police, he ran to his car and tried to drive off, but the officers stopped him a few metres away. His car was searched and a card, believed to have been used to block ATM machines, was found in his possession.

The suspect was arrested and charged with fraud, Zwane said. KwaZulu-Natal acting provincial commissioner Major-General Bheki Langa praised the officers for their quick reaction.

“Our detectives will work hard to try and see if he is not involved in any other card skimming or bank card-related fraud. I appeal to credit card holders to take extra precautions when using their cards at any ATM during this festive season. Make sure that no one distract you while at the ATM and avoid asking for help from unknown people,” he said. – ANA