We have now entered the last leg of the year with less than 7 weeks till 2023 comes to an end. Crime is expected to increase in line with increased spending and traffic around the country. Criminals usually increase their pace during this period and this week we witnessed an action packed movie style robbery in Southerton, Harare. A businessman lost a substantial amount of money but thanks to a dash board (dashcam) camera which recorded the robbery, the police swiftly moved in and arrested the culprits in hours!
Here are a list of areas our members are supposed to take great caution
Vehicle Purchases: A lot of vehicle purchase transactions do take place during the festive season. Criminals hang around garages ready to pounce. Move from one garage to the next making inquiries and you would have broadcasted to the public that you have cash.
Vehicle Sales: In a cash economy where most of it is kept at home–every vehicle sale is resulting in the cash being kept at home. And vehicle registration books in most cases provides evidence of the exact location where the cash is to be kept. Assess the costs of bank charges against the total loss of the funds including injury to you and family members. Last year many lost funds this way with sometimes hijacking taking place before the seller reaches home.
Residential Stands Transactions: Similar to the vehicle transactions noted above-avoid carrying huge amounts of cash to purchase stands or even sales. Avoid travelling long distances and be wary of sudden changes in venues for transactions. You are safer dealing with registered institutions including lawyers.
Bank Deposits and Withdrawals: Do not be predictable on your movements to banks-avoid predictable patterns that makes tracking you easier for criminals. The Southerton robbery could have been avoided had the businessman used Cash In Transit vehicle services.
Home Transactions: Avoid conducting transactions at home by inviting strangers to buy or selling to them. It makes it easy to identify targets by criminals. Rather, conduct transactions away from your home.
Advertising on social media could also send a signal that someone has cash or will soon have it. Therefor be in trusted forums and also think twice before posting. Fake Proof of Payments (POPs) expected to increase too and therefore verify, verify transactions before releasing goods. Be wary of big orders before your closing period.
We expect sophistication from criminals including targeting back to school transactions. Homes should not be left alone during the festive season and avoid night travelling.
