A growing number of South Africans are falling victim to a disturbing criminal trend in which robbers escalate attacks into short-term abductions and force victims to transfer money using mobile banking applications.
Security analysts have described these incidents as “express kidnappings” — crimes that often begin as armed robberies, hijackings, or opportunistic attacks before quickly evolving into forced digital theft.
According to Institute for Security Studies, the tactic is becoming increasingly common across the country, particularly in urban areas where access to smartphones and digital banking is widespread.
Rather than holding victims for ransom over extended periods, criminals are focused on immediate financial gain. Victims are forced to unlock their phones, reveal banking credentials, approve authentication prompts, and transfer funds directly from their accounts.
In many cases, the attacks happen during routine daily activities such as commuting, shopping, or arriving home.
Gauteng remains the main hotspot
Recent crime statistics from South African Police Service show that nearly 4,800 kidnapping cases were reported nationally between October and December last year, averaging approximately 53 incidents per day.
More than half of these cases were recorded in Gauteng, reinforcing the province’s position as the country’s primary crime hotspot.
Security professionals say criminals frequently target people who appear financially stable, drive premium vehicles, or follow predictable routines.
Several reported incidents have taken place at residential estate boom gates, shopping centre parking lots, and while victims were loading groceries into their vehicles.
Experts note that once criminals gain access to digital banking profiles, the process of draining funds can take only minutes.
Some cases end with victims being abandoned after their accounts have been emptied, while the perpetrators flee with both the money and the stolen vehicle.
Rising overlap between violent crime and digital fraud
The trend also reflects the growing intersection between violent street crime and digital financial fraud.
Banks and fraud prevention bodies have repeatedly warned that stolen smartphones now offer direct access to highly sensitive personal and banking data.
Southern African Fraud Prevention Service has recently flagged an increase in cases involving criminals targeting smartphones specifically to access banking applications.
The concern is further supported by figures from the National Financial Ombud Scheme, which reported a 73% surge in digital banking fraud complaints.
Complaints rose from1,436to2,483during the same January-to-May reporting period in 2025.
Authorities have also raised concerns about virtual banking cards and OTP-related scams, with one victim reportedly losing500,000兰特 after fraudsters gained access to their digital banking profile.
The rise of express kidnappings suggests that South Africa’s crime landscape is rapidly evolving, with criminals increasingly combining physical intimidation and digital exploitation.
Source:businesstech
