A recently recovered Mercedes-Benz, which had been stolen and then found equipped with counterfeit license plates and a forged license disc, has shed light on the operational tactics of hijacking syndicates and their ability to exploit technological advancements to evade capture.
Specialist investigator Mike Bolhuis, drawing on his extensive experience in investigating serious, violent, and cyber crimes, shared insights regarding the strategies employed by hijackers to conceal their identities and mask stolen vehicles.
Marshall Security, on Tuesday, announced the retrieval of a stolen Mercedes-Benz C200 along Sinembe Crescent near uMhlanga Rocks Drive, situated in the Somerset Park region. This vehicle was reportedly taken from Reservoir Hills the previous week.
Following the recovery, Marshall Security disclosed that the abandoned vehicle was equipped with fraudulent plates and a counterfeit license disc. The South African Police Service (SAPS) had been actively searching for the vehicle.
However, as Bolhuis emphasizes, false license discs and plates merely scratch the surface of the broader issue associated with hijacking. Criminals exploit technological advancements, while law enforcement faces challenges in combating these crimes.
Bolhuis characterizes the methods employed by criminals to mask their identities and switch between aliases as a form of cybercrime. He explains that criminals employ fabricated identities and counterfeit information for vehicles, often with assistance from corrupt individuals within various sectors.
These criminal activities are grounded in cybercrime, a global concern. Criminals exploit this digital realm to fabricate false documents routinely, rendering their capture challenging. Bolhuis asserts that law enforcement's struggle against digital crimes is compounded by their limited capacity, enabling criminals to exploit this weakness.
He asserts that the primary means of apprehending these criminals involves witnesses, forensic information, or digital tracking. Bolhuis highlights the necessity of gathering forensic evidence, citing the potential of trace elements such as saliva or hair follicles, as well as using indicators like dirt on wheels to deduce the stolen vehicle's movements.
Upon stealing a vehicle, criminals adapt their approach based on their objectives. They may fulfill orders for high-end vehicles or employ the stolen cars in the commission of other crimes. Vehicles are sometimes used to ram cash-transit vehicles or for ATM bombings before being left at the scene. Bolhuis particularly underscores the importance of forensic data in narrowing down suspects.
The latest statistics from the South African Police Service (SAPS) reveal that between April and June 2023, 9,081 motor vehicles and motorcycles were reported as stolen. Carjackings accounted for a significant portion, with 2,591 sedans, coupes, and hatchbacks stolen, along with 1,582 bakkies.
The Western Cape and Gauteng regions of South Africa experienced the highest incidence of carjackings, reflecting the pervasive nature of this criminal phenomenon.