Criminals posing as Fidelity security officers managed to steal over R7 million from ATMs in the Eastern Cape by using advanced software to hack the machines. The suspects were apprehended by the Hawks following a lengthy investigation.
In a sophisticated criminal operation that shocked the South African security industry, thieves impersonating Fidelity security personnel made off with over R7 million by illegally accessing and withdrawing funds from ATMs in the Eastern Cape.
According to General Godfrey Lebeya, the head of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI), commonly known as the Hawks, the criminals used specialized software to breach the ATMs’ systems. The operation was carried out in a manner that made the withdrawals appear to be legitimate maintenance or service operations by authorized personnel.
“These suspects went to great lengths to disguise themselves as Fidelity guards,” General Lebeya said during a media briefing. “They wore full uniforms, used branded vehicles, and had knowledge of ATM operations that allowed them to avoid immediate detection.”
The group reportedly targeted multiple ATMs across the province over several days, accumulating more than R7 million before law enforcement caught up with them. The DPCI initiated a widespread manhunt, deploying cybercrime experts and surveillance teams to track the suspects.
Eventually, the individuals were arrested and are now facing multiple charges, including cybercrime, theft, and impersonation of law enforcement or security personnel. The arrests mark a significant breakthrough in what the Hawks describe as a growing trend of tech-savvy financial crimes in South Africa.
“This case highlights the evolving nature of criminal enterprises, which now involve highly technical expertise and strategic deception,” Lebeya added.
Fidelity Services Group has yet to release a formal statement but confirmed that it is cooperating with authorities and reviewing its internal protocols. The company has come under increasing pressure to strengthen its verification processes and digital security.
The incident has sparked concern within the banking and private security industries, prompting urgent reviews of ATM service protocols and a call for more robust vetting procedures for field personnel.
Law enforcement officials believe more arrests may follow as investigations continue into whether additional accomplices or insiders were involved in the operation.
