● On February 17th (Monday) around 3:00 PM, the driver of a vehicle hired by a Japanese national was approached by a man who threatened him with a knife and stole a bag that had been kept inside the vehicle.
● On February 20th (Thursday) around 7:00 PM, a Japanese male traveler walking near Cape Town Station was led to an ATM by two men and became the victim of a theft.
● Both of these crimes occurred around Cape Town Station, and it is strongly recommended that, when in the area, you avoid acting alone and take sufficient safety precautions.
1. Overview of Incidents
(1) February 17th (Monday), around 3:00 PM:
A group of Japanese nationals was having a meeting inside a building near Cape Town Station (The Towers). The driver of their hired vehicle, who had parked nearby, was approached by a man with a knife. The assailant opened the unlocked door of the vehicle and stole a bag containing the victim’s passport, credit cards, driver’s license, and cash. After the meeting, when the victim returned to the vehicle, the driver explained the situation, and the victim immediately canceled the credit cards. However, the cards had already been used fraudulently.
(2) February 20th (Thursday), around 7:00 PM:
A Japanese male traveler was walking near Cape Town Station when he was approached by two men. The men grabbed him and forced him to walk to an ATM at Cape Town Station, where they instructed him to withdraw cash. The traveler was forced to insert two credit cards into the machine and provide the PINs. The assailants also stole his smartphone from his jacket pocket before fleeing. The victim canceled the two cards the next day, but they had already been used fraudulently. The cards were not returned from the ATM, and it is believed that the thieves took them when the victim was distracted.
(3) These crimes, as well as other similar incidents, have occurred frequently around Cape Town Station. Japanese nationals have been victims of theft in and around the station.
2. Safety Precautions to Take
(1) When leaving your vehicle, do not leave any items inside, even if they are not valuable. (Leaving items in the vehicle increases the risk of break-ins.)
(2) If you need to leave items in your vehicle, make sure to put them in the trunk before parking, ensuring they are out of sight from the outside.
(3) When walking in central Cape Town, always stay alert and be aware of your surroundings. Pay attention to the movement of people around you and be cautious of being followed or watched. In particular, avoid walking alone around Cape Town Station and take extra precautions in the area.
(4) Criminals may use various tactics to force you to provide your credit card details. Avoid engaging with them and leave the area immediately.
(5) If you are threatened with a weapon and asked to hand over your belongings, do not resist. Resistance may lead to harm with firearms or knives.
3. Additional Safety Information
In Cape Town, there have been frequent reports of ATM fraud, armed robberies, and car break-ins targeting Japanese nationals. For further safety information and past reports of incidents involving Japanese nationals, please refer to the following page:
Safety Information
4. If You Are Involved in an Incident
In the event you are involved in an incident or accident, please report it to local police authorities and inform the Consulate General in Cape Town with the details.
