Card fraud in South Africa

A lot of card fraud takes place in South Africa, with the victims generally being tourists. And the criminals use the same old trick time and time again:
They tamper with cash dispensers – normally in big towns and cities – so that users trying to withdraw money find their card trapped by a device known as a Lebanese loop (also collet Marseillais). The fraudsters then spontaneously come to the tourist's aid.
Their so-called assistance has one of two outcomes. It either brings about release of the card, whereupon the fraudsters persuade the victim to make another attempt at withdrawing cash and spy on his or her PIN number while doing so. They then manage to take the card off the tourist and so enjoy unhindered access to the victim's account.
In an alternative scenario the criminals suggest the tourist calls on the bank which has retained and blocked the card. The fraudsters meanwhile unblock it themselves and the card has now ended up in the hands of criminals.
During 'high season' (November to February) financial institutes in Switzerland receive more than one report of card fraud from South Africa every day. So be very careful! Make sure no-one watches you when withdrawing money or paying by card and don't let yourself be distracted or let anyone help you either.