Granny conned of over R60,000 at Hubyeni Centre Elim in October 2025

An elderly woman has been defrauded of more than R60,000 in Elim, Limpopo, after a kind stranger turned out to be a thief. The incident occurred at the Hubyeni Shopping Centre where the victim was at an ATM and asked for help from another woman. This stranger allegedly swapped the victim’s bank card, withdrew a significant amount of cash, and made purchases at various shops before the victim realised what had happened.

Key details of the incident

• What happened: An elderly woman was defrauded of over R60,000.
• Where: Hubyeni Shopping Centre in Elim, Limpopo.
• When: The exact date is not specified, but the report was made on 24th October 2025.
• Victim: An elderly woman who is unable to read.
• Suspect: An unknown African female who offered assistance at an ATM.
• Modus Operandi: The suspect allegedly helped the victim with an ATM withdrawal, took her bank card, withdrew cash, made purchases, and returned a different card to the victim’s handbag. The original card was swapped.
• Loss: Over R60,000 was withdrawn from the victim’s savings account, and further purchases were made.
• Suspect’s potential motive: Preliminary findings suggest the suspect may be targeting elderly and vulnerable individuals.
• Police appeal: Police are looking for a woman captured on CCTV footage and urge her to come forward to assist with the investigation. Those with information can report to Waterval SAPS or the nearest police station.
• Source: The story was reported by Limpopo Chronicle.

A detailed summary of the story

The incident highlights a disturbing trend where vulnerable members of our community are targeted for their hard-earned money. An elderly woman in Elim, Limpopo, fell victim to a cunning scam at the Hubyeni Shopping Centre. She was reportedly at an ATM trying to withdraw cash when she encountered an unknown woman who offered her assistance. The victim, who cannot read, accepted the help. The suspect, however, used this opportunity to her advantage. She allegedly managed to swap the victim’s bank card, withdraw a substantial amount of money – exceeding R60,000 – and then used the stolen card to make purchases at several retail stores within the same shopping centre. The suspect reportedly put the cash and what she claimed was the victim’s card back into her handbag, leaving the unsuspecting woman to continue her shopping. It was only when the victim returned home and her family checked her bank account that the extent of the fraud was discovered. Further investigation revealed that the card returned to her was not her own. Police believe that the suspect may be specifically targeting elderly and vulnerable people. They are currently reviewing CCTV footage and have appealed for the woman seen in the footage to come forward voluntarily to help with their investigation. This unfortunate event serves as a stark reminder for everyone to be cautious when using ATMs and to be wary of unsolicited assistance, especially from strangers.

Frequently asked questions

• Q: How did the suspect manage to steal the money and swap the card?
  A: The suspect likely pretended to help the victim with her ATM transaction. While doing so, she would have noted the victim’s PIN or used a device to skim the card details, quickly swapping the original card with a different one before the victim could notice. She then proceeded to withdraw cash and make purchases.
• Q: Why did the victim not notice her card was swapped?
  A: The victim is unable to read, which could have made it harder for her to distinguish between her card and a different one, especially if they looked similar. The suspect also returned a card to her handbag, making it seem like everything was in order.
• Q: What should people do if someone offers them help at an ATM?
  A: It is best to politely decline any unsolicited help at ATMs. If you are struggling with the machine, ask a bank official for assistance or use your own knowledge to complete the transaction. Never let anyone else handle your card or enter your PIN.
• Q: What action is the police taking?
  A: The police are investigating the incident, reviewing CCTV footage to identify the suspect, and have appealed for the public’s help. They want the woman captured on camera to come forward.
• Q: What is the total amount lost by the victim?
  A: The victim lost over R60,000 in cash withdrawals and an unspecified amount through fraudulent purchases at retail stores.
• Q: Where can I find more news about incidents like this in the area?
  A: You can find more stories and news related to community events and incidents by visiting cityofthohoyandou.co.za/category/news/.