Elethu Cheshire Home for the Disabled, in Daveyton, warns other organisations about a scam.
The home’s laptop was stolen by a woman who claimed she wanted to donate to the organisation.
Centre manager Sandile Mafu said they want to alert other organisations and NPOs to exercise the necessary due diligence when dealing with members of the public they have not dealt with before.
“This will help to avoid falling prey to scamsters, especially in this pandemic, because we are desperate for donations,” Mafu said.
She explained that the woman called the home and asked for the address then later arrived.
“One of our board members, Michael Maqungo, showed her around the home and she wrote down the needs we have.
“She then claimed that she works with local food outlets and wanted the board member to go with her to a grocery store to get some groceries as part of the donation,” said Mafu.
“Before they left she also said the company she works for has an app which they will need to download on our laptop for us to receive food twice a month.
“Michael took the laptop with them to the store. When they got to the store she asked Michael for the laptop so she can download the app for them while they get the groceries.
“After a few minutes, Michael looked for the woman and she was nowhere to be found,” Mafu said.
“The public must be warned about this woman. Apparently, she is part of a syndicate which mostly targets children’s homes.”
The centre manager described the woman as having a light complexion, of average height with dyed, short hair and said she speaks isiZulu.
The Daveyton police confirmed the incident and a case of theft is being investigated.
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