Residents warned about new crime syndicate

Tsakane – Residents are alerted and cautioned about the new syndicate who impersonate a police officer by phoning victims whose vehicles were stolen.

It is alleged the suspect will inform the victims the police have recovered their vehicles.

The owner of the vehicle is then requested to make a payment into an account, which is needed for the SAPS pound to release the vehicle or to get the vehicle back from another province.

Tsakane police spokesperson, Sgt Lerato Mngomezulu, says after the payment is made the so-called ‘police officer’ can no longer be traced and his phone number is no longer working.

ALSO READ:

SAPS warns community about internet fraud.

“Sometimes the so-called ‘police officer’ even asks for airtime for him to phone the complainant back when all the arrangements have been finalised,” she says.

Mngomezulu says several such cases of fraud were reported at police stations within the Tshwane Central Cluster (Brooklyn, Garsfontein, Lyttelton, Pretoria Moot, Villieria, Sunnyside and Silverton).

“The SAPS is busy with an investigation and are doing everything in their power to get to the bottom of this, especially to establish how the person obtained personal details of the complainants and their stolen vehicles.

“In the latest incident, a 43-year-old Garsfontein man received a call from a person who alleged that he is investigating the theft of his motor vehicle.

“The vehicle was reported stolen in the Brooklyn policing precinct.

“The so-called investigating officer asked a few questions about the vehicle such as whether the vehicle was fitted with any tracking devices.

“The complainant was surprised because all that information was mentioned in his statement.

“The next day the alleged investigating officer phoned back with so-called good news that the vehicle was recovered in Limpopo.”

Mngomezulu adds the suspect asked the complainant to deposit an amount of R1 500 with e-wallet so that the vehicle can be brought back to Pretoria.

“The vigilant vehicle owner suspected foul play and reported a fraud case at the Brooklyn Police Station for further information.

ALSO READ:

Confirm child abductions before you share and cause panic SAPS urges

“When vehicles are recovered, the owner must go to the SAPS pound in person with personal documents and vehicle registration papers as proof.

“No payments are required at police pounds or at police stations to get stolen vehicles back.

“The owner can also appoint an insurance company to collect the vehicle from the pound on their behalf if there are any damages to the vehicle,” she adds.

The police are requesting residents to report any suspicious persons, vehicles (especially ones without number plates) or circumstances to the police immediately by phoning the 10111 emergency number.

“Information about crime can be given to the police anonymously by phoning 08600 10111 or by sending an SMS to 32211.