CRIME experts warn residents to be extra vigilant this festive season.
This comes after social media was flooded with key holders shared at the shopping centres and malls last week.
Forensic crime investigator Calvin Rafadi said the device has a SIM card inside, and parents usually buy it to track their children, but criminals use it to target unsuspecting individuals.
“The device has a SIM card inside you can buy in the shop parents usually buy for children and when they can’t find them, they check on their phones and find out where they are,” he said.
Rafadi said the tsotsis have been using the tactic for a while, but it disappeared and is now making a comeback.
“Once criminals are aware that people know their tactics, they do away with them until people forget and resume them again."
He said people should not take those key holders when they are given to them.
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“The key ring has a tracking device chip which allows the criminals to track and follow you. Please, please don't accept them. They select their seemingly well-to-do potential victims and if you accept, you might become a victim of their tricks. The key holders are very beautiful and hard to resist accepting. They have SIM cardfitted to communicate with software on a laptop to track and trace locations.”
Rafadi said they look at those wearing jewellery.
“Then they give you and it tracks you to home then they come especially to rob you.”
Special crime investigator Mike Bolhuis said people going to malls must always be cautious.
“It's important to be cautious when leaving a mall, as there have been reports of robberies occurring outside the parking area and during your drive home. Informers are known to provide information to robbers and hijackers about potential targets outside malls. Be aware of your surroundings and ensure that you are not being followed."
Mike said motorists should use their rear-view mirrors to keep an eye on anyone suspicious and, if necessary, drive directly to the nearest police station before stopping anywhere else.
Head of Auto & General Insurance, Ricardo Coetzee, said their statistics show two spikes in incidents of housebreaking each year in June and December.
“With December seeing a dramatic spike of 48%. The week between Christmas and New Year is the time when most incidents are reported. This is likely due to people visiting family and friends and leaving homes vulnerable, but also thanks to more high-value goods being on offer due to festive gifting."
He said customers should notify their security company when they won’t be home for extended periods.
“Also ask someone you trust to check on your home, collect your mail, and switch on different lights to create the impression that somebody is home.”
