Call for stronger banking protection for elderly after Durban cops bust syndicate
An advocacy group for seniors is calling for stronger security measures to protect the elderly and their money from criminals.
eThekwini Metro Police on Wednesday arrested four people in Montclair, linked to a syndicate that targeted elderly people in shopping centres.
They say the syndicate is made up of three men and one woman.
The modus operandi involved the woman targetting elderly female victims, drawing their attention to a stash of money dropped on the ground to distract them.
She would then convince them to pick the cash up.
When the victim does so, another syndicate member impersonating a police officer would approach the victim, pretending to arrest her and escort her to a car.
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There, the victim would be assaulted and robbed of her belongings, and her bank account would be cleared out.
It's believed the syndicate is linked to over 30 cases in KZN, including kidnapping, fraud, and armed robbery.
Police have also recovered the vehicle believed to have been used in the crimes, cell phones and two thousand rand in cash.
Elders Voice's Jo-Anne Herbst says many elderly people are vulnerable to fraudsters and other criminals.
"I think there should be, even on their banking apps, there should be a second or third measure taken. Many of the elderly don't have banking apps. They still do to the tellers because they don't know how to operate smart phones. They operate the old way, where they go to a teller or an ATM. There has to be a measure taken to protect them."
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