PROJECT: STOLEN VEHICLE SCAMS

isabels39
May 9
6 min read

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Vehicle theft remains a significant concern in South Africa, with recent statistics indicating that approximately 93 vehicles

are stolen daily across the country. Between July and September 2024, there were 8,597 reported cases of car and motorcycle theft, highlighting the persistent threat to motorists.

Beyond the immediate loss, victims are increasingly targeted by sophisticated scams.

One prevalent scheme involves fraudsters posing as police officers or recovery agents.

They contact victims to claim that their stolen vehicle has been found.

They then request a "release fee" or payment for towing and storage, exploiting the victim's hope and urgency

to recover their vehicle.

These scams deepen victims' financial and emotional toll and erode trust in legitimate recovery processes.

The high vehicle theft rate provides scammers with a steady pool of potential targets,

emphasising the need for increased public awareness and vigilance.

Staying informed and cautious will help individuals protect themselves from vehicle theft and subsequent scams.

MODUS OPERANDI:

These scams often involve a sophisticated and coordinated effort, leveraging information and psychological manipulation:

ACCESSING INFORMATION:
- The scammers seem to have inside information about your stolen vehicle.
- This information could be obtained through various means, including:
CORRUPT INSIDERS:
- Unfortunately, some individuals within the police force or related services might leak information about reported stolen vehicles.
EXPLOITING DATABASES:
- Criminals might find ways to access or hack into police or insurance databases containing details of stolen vehicles.
MONITORING POLICE ACTIVITY:
- They could monitor police radio communications or even observe police station activity to gather information.
IMPERSONATION:
- The callers are skilled at impersonating police officers.
- They sound professional, use convincing language, and may provide details like a case number, the make and model of your car, and where it was supposedly found.
- This level of detail adds a significant layer of credibility to their claims.
CREATING URGENCY AND DESPERATION:
- The scam relies heavily on your emotional state.
- Having your vehicle stolen is a traumatic experience, and the news of its recovery, even if conditional, triggers immense relief and a desire to retrieve it quickly.
- The scammers exploit this urgency by claiming the vehicle is in a precarious location (e.g., near the border, at risk of further damage) and needs immediate transportation.
DEMANDING "TRANSPORT FEES":
- The core of the scam is the request for money to cover "transport costs," "towing fees," or "storage charges."
- They often create a plausible reason why the police cannot handle this directly (e.g., the police truck is broken, it is outside their jurisdiction).
UNTRACEABLE PAYMENTS AND METHODS:
- They almost always request payment through methods that are difficult or impossible to trace and recover, such as:
  - E-wallets (e.g., eWallet, MoMo).
  - Bank transfers to unfamiliar accounts.
  - Cash deposits at specific locations.
  - Airtime or vouchers.
EXPLOITING TRUST IN AUTHORITY:
- The fact that the caller impersonates a police officer leverages the public's trust in law enforcement.
- Victims are more likely to believe someone claiming to be a police official.
USING RED HERRINGS:
- Details like the vehicle being found "near the border" or in a distant location add to the believability and the justification for transport costs.
- Other red herrings could include claims that the vehicle is in a dangerous area or that it needs to be moved quickly to avoid further damage.

SAFETY MEASURES TO AVOID BECOMING A VICTIM:

VERIFY THE CALLER'S IDENTITY:
- If you receive a call from someone claiming to be the police, always ask for their:
  - Full name.
  - Rank.
  - Police station.
  - Badge number.
- Immediately hang up and call the police station directly using the official phone number you find through a reliable source (not the number the caller provided).
- Ask to speak to the officer who supposedly contacted you or inquire about the recovery of your vehicle using your case number.
NEVER PAY MONEY FOR THE RECOVERY OF YOUR VEHICLE:
- Legitimate police services in South Africa will never ask you to pay for recovering or transporting your stolen vehicle.
- This is because it is their duty to recover stolen property and asking for payment would be a clear sign of a scam.
BE SUSPICIOUS OF URGENT REQUESTS:
- Scammers create a sense of urgency to prevent you from thinking clearly.
- Take a step back, breathe, and don't feel pressured to make immediate payments.
DO NOT SHARE PERSONAL OR FINANCIAL INFORMATION:
- Never give out your bank details, e-wallet PINs, or other sensitive information to anyone who calls you unexpectedly, even if they claim to be the police.
BE WARY OF DETAILED INFORMATION:
- While the scammer might provide accurate details about your car, remember that this information could have been obtained through illicit means.
- The fact that they know these details doesn't automatically make them legitimate.
TRUST YOUR INSTINCTS:
- If something feels off or too good to be true, it probably is.
- Do not ignore your gut feeling.
REPORT SUSPICIOUS CALLS:
- If you receive a call like this, even if you don't fall for the scam, report it to your local police station immediately.
- Your report can help them track these criminal activities and warn others, making you an active part of the solution and not just a potential victim.
EDUCATE YOURSELF AND OTHERS:
- Talk to your family and friends about these types of scams so they are also aware of the risks.
- By sharing this knowledge, you are protecting yourself and those you care about, showing your responsibility and care for others.
COMMUNICATE THROUGH OFFICIAL CHANNELS:
- All official communication regarding your stolen vehicle will typically be through formal channels, such as in-person visits to the police station or official letters, not unsolicited phone calls demanding payment.

By being aware of how these criminals operate and by following these safety tips, you will significantly reduce your risk of becoming a victim of this emotionally damaging scam.

Remember, during a stressful time, it is crucial to remain cautious and verify unexpected requests for money.

Falling for this scam cannot only result in financial loss but also in further trauma and distress.

It is essential to stay vigilant and report suspicious activity to the authorities.

Specialised Security Services invites the public to the Mike Bolhuis Daily Projects WhatsApp Channel.

This channel is important in delivering insights into the latest crime trends, awareness, warnings and the exposure of criminals.

How to Join the WhatsApp Channel:

1. Make sure you have the latest version of WhatsApp on your device.

2. Click on the link below to join the Mike Bolhuis Daily Projects WhatsApp Channel:

- https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VarjftF8PgsI4pODE929

3. Follow the prompts to join the channel.

4. Make sure you click on "Follow", then click on the "bell"-icon (🔔)

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Mike Bolhuis

Specialist Investigators into

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