New car repossession scam fuels hijacking fears among South African drivers

Kabous Le Roux

Kabous Le Roux

4 May 2026 | 10:01

A new scam sees criminals posing as bank agents to “repossess” cars on the roadside. Drivers are being warned not to hand over vehicles without court orders or verification.

New car repossession scam fuels hijacking fears among South African drivers

Drivers warned: scammers posing as repossession agents are stopping motorists and stealing car. Know the signs before you hand over your vehicle! (moovstock/123rf.com)

A new roadside scam is raising fresh fears among South African drivers already worried about violent crime and car hijackings.

Criminals are now posing as bank agents to “repossess” vehicles, then driving off with them.

The tactic is designed to feel legitimate, and it’s working.

Related: hijacking scams and impersonation tactics on the rise

— Eyewitness News has reported extensively on violent vehicle crime and hijacking trends in South Africa.

— There have also been warnings about scammers targeting victims using hijacking-related tactics, including impersonation and payment demands.

— Eyewitness News has highlighted cases where criminals pose as officials or exploit vehicle-related processes to scam motorists:

In all these related articles, authorities consistently warned that legitimate processes, whether police recovery or bank repossession, do not involve roadside payments or unverified handovers.

Why this scam is so effective

The scam plays directly into a real fear: falling behind on car payments.

Criminals appear to have inside knowledge or exploit common financial stress. If a driver has missed a payment, the story feels believable.

In high-pressure roadside situations, many people choose compliance over confrontation.

That split-second decision can cost them their vehicle.

What a real repossession looks like

According to banking officials, legitimate vehicle repossessions follow a strict legal process.

It does not happen suddenly on the side of the road.

— A court order is required

— The process takes months, not days

— There is repeated communication with the customer

— Repossession is arranged in advance

Drivers cannot be forced out of their cars or stopped in traffic.

“No one is allowed to pull you over or take your vehicle by force,” said Declan Jones of Westbank Ecosystems.

Key red flags drivers must watch for

Drivers should be alert if:

— They are stopped unexpectedly while driving

— There is no court order presented

— The person cannot verify their identity

— Payment is demanded on the spot

— The vehicle is driven away instead of being loaded onto a truck

One victim described how scammers tried to intimidate her family for hours, even threatening police involvement.

In legitimate cases, a sheriff of the court handles the process, and vehicles are typically transported rather than driven away.

Fear of hijacking now overlaps with scams

South Africans already live with the threat of violent car hijackings.

This scam blurs the line between financial enforcement and outright theft.

Drivers are forced to make fast decisions under pressure, often unsure if they are facing criminals or officials.

That uncertainty is exactly what scammers exploit.

What drivers should do

If approached:

— Do not hand over your car immediately

— Ask for official identification and a court order

— Contact your bank directly to verify

— Leave the scene if you feel unsafe

If there has been no prior communication from the bank, the repossession is almost certainly fake.

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