MOGWASE – A man suspected of attempting to scam bank customers by swapping ATM cards was apprehended at the Mogwase Shopping Complex on Thursday afternoon following quick intervention by members of the public and security personnel.
The incident occurred at one of the automated teller machines located inside the busy complex. According to eyewitness accounts, the suspect approached a victim who was withdrawing cash and engaged the person in conversation. During the interaction, the suspect allegedly distracted the victim and replaced the legitimate ATM card with a different one after the victim had inserted it into the machine.
Alert community members who were in the queue behind the victim noticed the suspicious behaviour and immediately raised the alarm. Shoppers and security officers stationed at the complex responded swiftly, surrounding the suspect before he could leave the scene.
The suspect was detained on site until members of the South African Police Service arrived and placed him under formal arrest. The recovered ATM cards, including the one belonging to the victim, were handed over to the police as evidence.
Police have opened a case of fraud and are investigating whether the arrested individual is linked to similar incidents reported in the North West province in recent months.
Authorities commended the vigilance of the community members and the rapid response of private security personnel, stating that such cooperation plays a critical role in combating ATM-related crimes.
The suspect is expected to appear in the Mogwase Magistrate’s Court soon. Investigations are ongoing.
ATM card swapping scams remain a significant concern across South Africa, with criminals employing distraction tactics to replace victims’ cards at machines nationwide. The South African Banking Risk Information Centre (SABRIC) has repeatedly warned of the resurgence of this modus operandi, which often involves fraudsters approaching users under the pretense of assistance before executing the swap.
In 2025, these incidents have contributed to broader financial fraud losses estimated at R1.5 billion, marking a slight decline from previous years due to enhanced security measures, though card skimming and swapping continue to dominate reported methods.
Police crime statistics for the 2024/2025 fiscal year indicate thousands of fraud cases quarterly, many linked to ATMs, particularly in provinces like the Northern Cape and North West where economic challenges heighten vulnerability. The South African Police Service (SAPS) reported a notable increase in ATM-related scams in August 2025, with criminals targeting busy cash points and using techniques such as shoulder surfing to capture PINs alongside card swaps. Overall, digital and ATM fraud surged by 73% between January 2024 and May 2025, outpacing traditional crimes and costing citizens millions in unauthorised withdrawals and cloned card transactions.
Banks like Discovery and Capitec have highlighted the role of tampered ATMs in facilitating swaps, where devices trap cards or mimic malfunctions to lure victims into handing over their genuine cards. With approximately 50 ATMs per 100,000 adults in the country, the high reliance on these machines exacerbates the issue, especially in rural areas with limited banking access.
Authorities and financial institutions continue to urge the public to inspect machines for tampering, shield PIN entry, and report suspicious activity immediately to mitigate these ongoing risks.
