Nigerian Man Arrested in South Africa for Allegedly Stealing Car Keys and Blackmailing Auto Shops

 

A Nigerian man named Prince Calvin Jackson has been arrested in South Africa for allegedly pulling off a bold and unusual scam. Authorities say he pretended to be a job seeker, only to steal car keys from multiple auto repair workshops, then blackmail the owners for money.

Jackson reportedly targeted panel beaters (auto body repair shops) in Cape Town and Gauteng. Once he was inside the workshops, he would sneak into areas where keys were stored, steal them, and later contact the business owners demanding R1,000 per key for their return.

According to investigators, this scheme may have started back in 2023. Several workshop owners fell victim before Jackson was finally arrested last week.

One of his victims, a panel beater from Centurion in Tshwane who chose to remain anonymous, said Jackson introduced himself as an experienced auto repair professional. He ended up stealing seven car keys from the shop.

“He later called and said I should send the money [R8,000] via cash send. I paid him R3,000 and [then] I went to the police because I did not have the [remaining] R5,000,” he said.

The shop owner explained how the incident affected his business and how he had to act fast to avoid losing customers.

“We had to inform our clients and offer to cut new keys for them,” the panel beater said. “Luckily, they understood because they’ve known me over the years.”

A police source told Sowetan that Jackson is connected to more than four similar theft cases.

Gauteng police spokesperson Captain Tintswalo Sibeko confirmed the arrest. In Cape Town, Lieutenant-Colonel Malcolm Pojie also stated that another case had been filed against Jackson at the Strand police station.

One specific incident that led to a theft case being opened happened on March 3, 2025.

“Reports reveal that the complainant was at the workshop when the suspect came inside. It is alleged the suspect was about to be employed when he left with six car keys,” Pojie said.

Authorities are still investigating the full extent of Jackson’s activities.