After a spate of vehicle heists from motor body repairers’ premises, particularly in Gauteng, insurers and brokers are urged to liaise with motor body repairers and ensure that they confirm with clients before releasing vehicles to a third party.
The South African Insurance Crime Bureau (SAICB) has issued vehicle crime alerts drawing attention to this increasing trend, particularly among high value vehicles, which are currently being targeted by vehicle criminals at vehicle dealerships and especially auto body repair companies.
The modus operandi of the criminals is to call the repairer, pretending to be a family member or colleague, and inform the repairer that they have been instructed to collect the vehicle on behalf of the client.
The suspects obtain details of a specific vehicle at the repairer, including the amount outstanding that must be paid as excess. This amount is then paid into the account of the repairer and the suspects collect the vehicle ‘on behalf of the client’ or have it delivered to an address for the client, explains the SAICB.
The SAICB said it was aware of nine instances thus far, two vehicles were recovered and three arrests made.
Service providers must ensure that the correct owners/clients take delivery of these vehicles, and insurers should alert auto body repairers to this situation to prevent such crimes from taking place.
“We suggest that you advise your preferred panel of repairers to request identification from the insured before handing over their vehicle,” the SAICB recommends.
One insurer stated that it has had five SUVs and a luxury sports car stolen in this manner, while a vehicle tracking company confirmed five similar cases reported in April.
On a different note, the SAICB highlighted another emerging crime, stating that several instances have been reported where people have been drugged and robbed of vehicles and/or home contents.
“Ladies met with clients at different News Cafés in Gauteng, casinos and the Blue Room in Pretoria city centre. These ladies meet men and go with them to their homes or hotel rooms, allegedly ‘spike’ their drinks and take their vehicles, personal belongings and/or house contents. These clients can only provide minimal detail about the events after they have arrived at the hotel room or at their homes. None of the clients could give a proper description or other details of the ladies responsible,” said the SAICB.
One of the stolen vehicles was recovered at the Botswana Border and the other one in Soshanguve.