In a shocking turn of events, a Zimbabwean e-hailing driver in Cape Town has been arrested for fraud after allegedly using a passenger’s credit card while the passenger was asleep. This fraudulent activity resulted in unauthorized purchases totaling R650,000, raising concerns over the safety of passengers’ belongings and data when using e-hailing services.

The Incident: Passenger Falls Asleep, Driver Gains Access to Credit Card

The incident took place after the 30-year-old driver picked up a group of passengers, including a 21-year-old Danish national and two friends, in Cape Town. The group had arranged a ride to Simons Town, a popular tourist destination along the coast. During the journey, the passengers dozed off, reportedly unaware that one of their belongings had become the target of unauthorized access.

According to police spokesperson Andre Traut, the driver allegedly took advantage of the situation to access one of the passengers’ credit cards. Without waking them or arousing suspicion, the driver is believed to have retrieved the card details and sent this information to his brother in Europe. Within hours, seven purchases were made at luxury boutiques overseas, amounting to a massive R650,000 in charges.

How the Fraud Was Discovered

The Danish passenger realized the fraudulent activity early the following morning when his phone began pinging with notifications about purchases he had not authorized. Alarmed, he attempted to contact the driver directly through the e-hailing app to resolve the issue, but his efforts to reach the driver were unsuccessful. Realizing the severity of the situation and the difficulty of tracking down the driver on his own, the passenger reported the matter to the police at Simons Town.

Police Strategy: How Authorities Caught the Suspect

Upon receiving the report, Sergeant Henry Simons of the Simons Town police acted quickly to devise a strategic approach to apprehend the driver. Given the nature of the case and the possibility that the driver might evade detection, Simons took a careful approach. He used a phone at the local court building to request a ride from the same driver through the e-hailing service, preventing any suspicion by not using a number linked to the police station.

The plan was successful: the suspect accepted the ride request and arrived at the court building. There, Sergeant Simons confronted the driver and placed him under arrest. The driver is expected to make his first appearance in court in Simons Town, where charges will be formally brought against him. This sting operation highlighted the police’s quick thinking and dedication to apprehending suspects in complex, fast-evolving cases.

Police Appeal to Potential Victims

In the wake of this arrest, police spokesperson Andre Traut encouraged anyone who might have been a victim of a similar crime to come forward. There is concern that this modus operandi, involving e-hailing drivers accessing passengers’ credit cards, could have been used before. Anyone with relevant information or who believes they have been defrauded in a similar manner is urged to contact Simons Town police or call Crime Stop at 08600 10111.

Rising Crime in the E-Hailing Sector

This case of credit card fraud is one of many recent incidents bringing attention to risks within the e-hailing industry, for both drivers and passengers. In a separate and tragic incident in September, a man was arrested in Johannesburg for the murder of an e-hailing driver in Berea. The murder, which was captured on video and circulated widely online, showed a white vehicle parked at the side of the road. Two men stood outside the car, and the driver was shot after attempting to step out. The video’s viral spread underscored growing concerns over violence within the e-hailing sector, raising questions about passenger and driver safety.

Protecting Yourself as an E-Hailing Passenger

For passengers, this case is a reminder of the importance of taking extra precautions when using e-hailing services, particularly when handling sensitive items like wallets, phones, and credit cards. Keeping valuables secured and staying vigilant can help prevent unauthorized access to personal information. Regularly monitoring bank accounts for any unusual activity and immediately reporting suspicious transactions are essential steps for minimizing potential damage if a card is compromised.

E-hailing services are convenient and often a safer alternative to traditional transport options, but this incident underscores the potential risks involved. For their part, police in Cape Town have made it clear they are committed to tackling fraud and ensuring passenger safety.

The arrest of the Cape Town e-hailing driver sheds light on vulnerabilities within the industry and highlights the police force’s proactive measures to address them. Through vigilance and cooperation with law enforcement, passengers can reduce their chances of falling victim to similar scams in the future.