Key Takeaways
- Two men have been arrested for allegedly using a dating app to lure victims to an abandoned house in Scottsville, where they were assaulted and robbed.
- The suspects used a popular dating app to communicate with their victims, who were all men, and lured them to an address in Scottsville.
- The victims were held in a room, assaulted at gunpoint, and forced to empty their bank accounts via their mobile banking apps.
- A breakthrough in the case came when one victim provided banking records, which led to the identification of the suspects and their vehicle.
- Further investigations are underway, and it is believed that the suspects may be linked to other crimes and that there may be more victims who have not come forward due to fear of stigma.
Introduction to the Crime
The city of Pietermaritzburg has seen a string of crimes in which men were lured to an abandoned house in Scottsville via a dating app, only to be assaulted and robbed. According to Colin David, director of Mi7 National Group, several cases were opened at the city’s police stations over the past two months, all with the same modus operandi. The victims, all men, would communicate with an individual via a popular dating app, who would then lure them to an address in Scottsville. Upon arrival, the victims would be confronted by between five and seven suspects, forced into the premises, and held in a room.
The Modus Operandi
The suspects’ method of operation was to assault the victims at gunpoint and force them to empty their bank accounts via their mobile banking apps. This could be done either through an e-wallet or by transferring the funds directly to a bank account. The victims were left traumatized, and some may not have come forward due to fear of the stigma attached to being a victim of such a crime. The use of a dating app to lure victims is a disturbing trend, and it highlights the need for people to be cautious when using such apps. It is essential to verify the identity of the person on the other end and to be aware of any red flags that may indicate a potential threat.
The Breakthrough
A breakthrough in the case came last week when one victim was able to provide banking records, which showed from which ATM the funds were withdrawn and at what time. This information led Alexandra Road police station detectives to Scottsville Mall, where they were able to source CCTV footage of the suspects and their vehicle. The Mi7 teams then loaded the vehicle details onto the Mi7 Surveillance Net, a network of more than 150 camera systems equipped with automatic number plate recognition software. This cast a wide net over Pietermaritzburg and the midlands, allowing the authorities to track the suspects’ movements.
The Arrest
On Sunday, the VW Polo was flagged in the Scottsville area, leading to a wide-scale search involving police teams, Mi7 teams, and their counterparts from another security company. The vehicle was spotted and stopped on Oribi Road, and two suspects were found inside, one of whom was in possession of a firearm with live ammunition. The authorities then went to the abandoned building where the crimes occurred and found more live ammunition, over 40 car keys, half a dozen vehicle ignitions, a computer box for a vehicle, an alarm modem, and gate remote controls. The discovery of these items suggests that the suspects may have been involved in other crimes, such as theft and hijacking.
Further Investigations
Further investigations are underway, and it is believed that the suspects may be linked to other crimes. The fact that the suspects were found with a large number of car keys and vehicle ignitions suggests that they may have been involved in a car theft ring. The discovery of an alarm modem and gate remote controls also suggests that they may have been involved in burglaries. The authorities are urging anyone who may have been a victim of these suspects to come forward, and they are working to identify any other potential victims who may not have reported their crimes due to fear of stigma. The case highlights the importance of being vigilant when using dating apps and the need for people to report any suspicious activity to the authorities.
Conclusion
The arrest of the two suspects is a significant breakthrough in the case, and it is hoped that it will bring closure to the victims and their families. The use of a dating app to lure victims is a disturbing trend, and it highlights the need for people to be cautious when using such apps. The authorities are urging anyone who may have been a victim of these suspects to come forward, and they are working to identify any other potential victims who may not have reported their crimes due to fear of stigma. The case is a reminder of the importance of being vigilant and the need for people to report any suspicious activity to the authorities.
