BRITS POS – BRITS - The Insurance Crime Bureau (ICB) has warned of a drastic spike in vehicle thefts across Gauteng, particularly in the Pretoria and East Rand areas, targeting elderly female shoppers.
The suspects, typically operating in groups of three comprising one female and two males, use distraction tactics to steal car keys from these unsuspecting victims before making off with their vehicle from the parking area.
The ICB has reviewed camera footage showing that these criminals tend to go for older females who put their handbags and car keys in the upper section of the shopping trolley.
After choosing their target, one of the thieves will deliberately bump into the shopper with a trolley to create a diversion.
While distracted, the female suspect or one of the male accomplices removes the car keys from the handbag or pickpockets the victim.
The keys are quickly handed to a third suspect, who exits the shop and uses them to steal the victim’s vehicle from the parking lot.
Once their confidant is out of sight, the remaining criminals proceed to calmly walk away in different directions to avoid suspicion.
“This well-coordinated modus operandi has been captured on CCTV footage, showing how the suspects deliberately bump into victims and discreetly remove keys, which are then handed off to an accomplice who quickly exits the shop,” said the ICB.
The ICB has urged the public to raise awareness on the matter by informing elderly relatives or acquaintances of the new tactic.
Additionally, it advises female shoppers in particular to keep their handbags and car keys close to their body and never unattended.
Finally, it said shoppers should be vigilant of groups matching the description above and report any suspicious activity to the authorities or centre management immediately.
Shopping mall troubles
The ICB’s warning come mere weeks after Fidelity Services Group advised motorists of an alarming rise in car remote jamming at shopping malls.
Car remote jamming refers to when a thief uses a sophisticated device to block the signal between your car and the key fob when you press the lock button, which keeps the car unlocked when you walk away.
“Motorists assume their car is secure, only to return and find their belongings stolen — without any sign of forced entry,” said Charnel Hattingh, Group Head of Marketing & Communications at Fidelity Services Group.
She highlighted that shopping centres remain hotspots for these crimes, as well as for things such as cellphone snatching when victims are checking their phone while waiting for an e-hailing ride.
Futhermore, Fidelity previously warned that shopping malls are instrumental in “follow-home” attacks.
This is when criminals look around shopping malls for individuals who made substantial purchases.
They mark these individuals and proceed to follow them on their way home, at which point they will jump out of the car and overwhelm them to gain access to their car and home.
