Pietermaritzburg police have warned residents against con-artists who swindle victims out of their cash with the promise of enormous returns.
|||Pietermaritzburg - Police have warned Pietermaritzburg residents to beware of confidence tricksters who swindle their victims, sometimes out of their life savings, with the promise of enormous returns.
Police spokesman Lieutenant Joey Jeevan confirmed Pietermaritzburg detectives were investigating several cases involving millions of rands.
The most recent victim, a 55-year old man, was approached by a smooth-talking conman in Church Street. The man was handed a pamphlet.
“The victim contacted the person whose number is on the pamphlet with the aim of requiring assistance with an injury he sustained years ago,” Jeevan said.
An appointment was set up and the victim was told to be at offices in Theatre Lane in the CBD. He was directed to a dark room and was told that his ancestors would speak to him.
It is alleged that the victim’s “ancestors” told him to hand over his pension money to the suspects and he would be rewarded with R5 million.
The victim apparently withdrew his R700 000 pension and handed it over to the con artists.
It was the last he heard from them and on returning to their offices he discovered the building was empty and the suspects had disappeared.
The con artists also tell victims they will help them with injuries, problematic relationships and financial problems in return for cash.
Police believe that others may have also fallen victim to the scamsters, who were believed to be operating in the Pietermaritzburg area.
Police have appealed to anyone who may have fallen victim to such scams, or who have information that can assist police in their investigations, to contact the SAPS Pietermaritzburg detectives at 033 845 2400/2442 or visit them at the police station.
Daily News