Staff Reporter
PASSENGERS using taxis in Windhoek are being warned about a series of vehicle-related robberies in which victims are allegedly held for hours, forced to transfer money or withdraw cash, and abandoned in unfamiliar areas, according to City Police Sergeant Lahia Haitota.
Haitota said the Windhoek City Police Service had received reports of passengers being targeted, particularly in taxis operating as public transport.
He said many of the incidents begin when victims board taxis, especially from the central business district, before being driven to unfamiliar areas and robbed.
“In some cases they are forced to withdraw cash or transfer money under intimidation of threat,” Haitota said.
He said some victims are kept inside the taxi for several hours while suspects drive around and threaten or intimidate them into accessing their banking applications and transferring money to different numbers or withdrawing cash using cardless options.
Haitota warned residents to exercise extra caution before entering taxis, particularly when travelling alone.
“If you approach a taxi and you notice that the driver is a male and then maybe there is another male passenger or two, it’s better for you not to get into that taxi, especially if you are alone,” he said.
He added that many of the reported victims have been women and urged residents not to allow themselves to be pressured into entering a vehicle if they feel uncomfortable or unsafe.
Residents are advised to record the taxi’s registration number, bid number, colour, make and other identifying features before travelling, and to share their travel and destination plans with a trusted friend or relative.
Haitota also advised residents to share their live location with a trusted person when possible.
He warned that suspects may search victims’ phones for banking-related messages to determine whether money is available in their accounts.
“If possible, delete those messages whether you receive money or you send money,” he advised.
Residents were also advised to use phone features that allow certain applications to be hidden from view, where available.
According to Haitota, some of the robberies appear to involve coordinated tactics, with suspects allegedly forcing victims to transfer money to numbers they have previously used and then contacting those recipients to obtain transaction PINs.
He said suspects may also have accomplices waiting at ATMs to withdraw money.
“This is a crime that is well organised and is also now being committed by people that are also a little bit aggressive,” Haitota said.
He said one victim was allegedly driven around for several hours and, after reaching a daily transaction limit, was kept until the following morning so that further transactions could be made.
Haitota urged residents to use the City of Windhoek’s taxi verification application available through the City’s E-Portal before boarding a taxi.
The application allows users to enter the taxi’s bid number and check whether the vehicle’s colour, make and registration number correspond with the information on record.
“If it does not, obviously it’s a pirate taxi. Report that taxi,” he said.
Residents can report suspected pirate taxis through the application or contact the City Police.
Haitota also urged victims of robbery or any other crime to report the incident immediately and open a case to allow the police to investigate.
“We also like to assure our residents that we are working tirelessly and actively to bring these perpetrators to book,” he said.
Residents requiring assistance or information can contact the City Police on 061 302 302 or 302 302, or send an SMS to 4444.
Picture for illustrative purposes only. Photo: Contributed
