Gqeberha police have issued a warning about a scam targeting tourists, in which individuals are tricked into handing over their bank cards under the pretense of paying “toll fees.” The scam was recently brought to light when former 702 radio host John Robbie shared his unsettling experience on social media.
Robbie, who was renting a car at Gqeberha airport, described how a VW Golf cut them off shortly after leaving the car hire company. Two men dressed in black suits, with radios and badges, approached him, claiming that they needed to activate an e-toll transponder at an ATM. The men attempted to coerce Robbie into following them, but upon realizing it was a scam, he confronted them. The men grew aggressive and even threatened to arrest him. Sensing the danger, Robbie and his companions quickly saw through the ruse and confronted the scammers, who fled the scene.
While Robbie reported the incident, Eastern Cape Police spokesperson Captain Sandra Jansee Van Rensburg confirmed that no formal criminal case had been filed at the time. However, she warned that similar scams had been reported in the region. In these incidents, the perpetrators were dressed in black suits with a badge featuring a South African flag. They would inform the driver that a toll fee needed to be paid for road usage and attempt to lead victims to a location where the scam would unfold. At the designated spot, the victim would be asked to insert their bank card into a machine, which would then “swallow” the card, leaving the perpetrators to disappear with it.
The criminals appear to be specifically targeting tourists in the Summerstrand area. Authorities are urging hotel and B&B owners in the region to warn their guests about the scam, encouraging them to be vigilant. Travelers are advised to remain cautious and to avoid handing over their bank cards to anyone claiming to be officials.
