Syndicates are targeting individuals who they know have quick access to cash flow.

This is the assessment of Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security, JP Smith.

In a statement released after the murder of local businessman, 40-year-old Khalied Parker, Smith says that once syndicates find a target, they are profiled to determine their pressure points.

This may be in the form of a parent proudly posting pictures of their children or at school drop-offs.

Smith says that this gives these criminals insight into their targets’ priorities and vulnerabilities.

He has urged the public to review their social media privacy settings, and make sure that only a select few can access their information, pictures, and posts.

Meanwhile, Smith has convened a meeting with senior officials, and representatives from renowned international consulting groups that specialize in kidnappings and extortion training.

He says that they cannot wait for guidance from Police Minister Bheki Cele to address this growing problem of syndicates targeting businessmen.

This as the imam of Masjiedul Quds in Gatesville has urged the public not to run away from the problem.

The search continues for the three suspects behind Parker’s murder in Lansdowne this morning.

Sheikh Abduragmaan Alexander contends that the increasing targeting of local and Muslim businessmen must be stopped.

He has urged the community to find ways to protect future generations from crime

Khalied is the only son of Masjiedul Quds committee member, Sieraaj Parker.

This latest incident comes as fired top cop, Jeremy Vearey, says that a pattern of crime has emerged in the recent spate of kidnappings of businessmen in Cape Town.

They all happen to be from Indian and Bangladeshi ethnicity and in some instances, Muslim in faith.