WATCH: Man robbed of cellphone in alleged ‘hugging’ theft at Durban shopping complex - IOL

A screenshot of the CCTV footage which shows the elderly man being hugged before he was robbed.

CCTV footage appears to show a man being distracted and robbed of his cellphone at a Newlands West shopping complex, in Durban, prompting renewed warnings from local safety representatives.

The man who had gone to a bakery to buy bread, was the latest victim of the hugging gang, which pickpockets unsuspecting people while hugging them.

The man was robbed of his cellphone yesterday afternoon at a busy shopping complex in Inanda Road.

CCTV footage shows the unsuspecting man being approached by a ‘friendly man’ who grabs him in a friendly manner as he exits the bakery.

The man appears to have noticed that his cellphone was stolen, but it seemed as if he was shocked and did not react when the suspect made off with the cellphone.

Vishal Dooki, chairperson of the Newlands Community Policing Forum (CPF) said crime in the area has escalated, and they have issued multiple warnings to the public and residents who frequent the area.

“This is not an isolated incident. Many people have been robbed in this area, and there are various different modus operandi used.

“There is vehicle theft, theft out of motor vehicles, remote hamming, and people being robbed while they are walking.

“The hugging modus operandi is a new tactic that criminals have found to rob people in this area,” he added.

Dooki said the CPF has urged people to stay alert of their surroundings and to not let anybody into their personal space.

“One cannot allow anybody to be close to them in this day and age. We have addressed the safety concerns with the owner of the complex, and they have increased security in the area.

“We encourage residents to ensure their own safety by being more aware and adhering to safety tips,” he added.

In recent months, the hugging gang had targeted residents in Chatsworth, Malvern, Verulam and Durban North.

Prem Balram, head of Reaction Unit South Africa, said the hugging gang operates by approaching their victims under the guise of friendship, hugging them and stepping on their feet as a distraction before discreetly removing their cellphones from their pockets. 

He said the gang operates at busy locations such as service stations, convenience stores and shops, and the suspects leave quickly, before the victims realise their phones have been stolen. 

He said residents should open cases, despite the theft being of a small scale, so that police can track and apprehend the perpetrators.