Windhoek City Police warn of organized taxi robberies

The Windhoek City Police Service has issued a warning regarding a series of organized taxi-related robberies targeting passengers in Windhoek. According to Sergeant Lahia Haitota, criminals are picking up victims, particularly from the central business district, and driving them for hours to unfamiliar areas.

During these incidents, suspects use intimidation to force victims to access banking applications to transfer funds or use cardless withdrawal options. In some sophisticated cases, criminals force victims to send money to previous contacts and then contact those individuals to obtain PINs under threat. Suspects may also search phones for banking notifications to assess available funds.

Authorities advise residents, especially women and those traveling alone, to exercise extreme caution. Recommendations include verifying taxis through the City of Windhoek’s e-portal, recording vehicle registration and bid numbers, and sharing live locations or trip details with trusted contacts. Police urge citizens to report any suspected ‘pirate taxis’ that do not match official records.