Date and Time:
February 2, around 2:00 PM
Location:
Southern Johannesburg, at a fast food restaurant
Incident Overview:
- Event Details:
- A Japanese family of five was attempting to order at a self-service touch screen kiosk at a fast food restaurant.
- They were approached by a group of three men who instructed them to insert their credit card before placing the order.
- Despite feeling suspicious, the card was inserted, and one of the men took the card and hid it in his hand.
- The family confronted the men, and although the card was briefly returned, the men, showing IDs labeled “security,” convinced them to use another register.
- The men again took the card and pocketed it, but after a loud commotion from the family, they fled the scene.
Safety Advisory:
- Precautions:
- Avoid Trusting Strangers: Do not trust individuals who approach you during transactions, especially if they ask you to perform actions that are not typical.
- Use Secure Methods: If unfamiliar with the machine, avoid using it alone or seek assistance from a trusted person.
- Monitor Card Usage: Set lower limits on your credit card and keep emergency contact numbers for card suspension readily available.
- In Case of Incident:
- Report the incident to local police authorities.
- Notify the Japanese Embassy in South Africa with details of the incident.
Staying vigilant and cautious, especially when using self-service kiosks or handling financial transactions, can help prevent such incidents.
Comment