Another victim comes forward after romantic scam story

The Benoni City Times recently published a warning from a Benoni teacher about falling victim to romance scams after she narrowly escaped being conned out of millions of rands.

The teacher’s story detailed how she was manipulated into attempting to take out a bank loan after being introduced to a ‘prayer’ session, during which voices claiming to be her boyfriend’s ancestors instructed her to secure cash.

Another woman shared her chilling experience, a similar encounter with whom she believes is the same man.

She described him as tall, dark in complexion, slender, well-built, with a scar on his head and often wearing black leather trousers and a blue and lime green shirt.

Also Read: Teacher escapes romance scam, warns others to always be alert

Wishing to remain anonymous, the woman said she met the man in September at Northmead Square while browsing a display of vehicles.

He approached her under the guise of being interested in the cars, even telling the salesperson he wanted to trade in his Jeep.

The woman later encountered him at a nearby food outlet.

He complimented her and asked for her contact details.

“Two days later, he reached out via WhatsApp and a phone call and we began communicating. That same night, I had a disturbing dream of him holding a gun to my head.”

While the dream unsettled her, the woman met the man at Northmead Square the following day.

“He claimed to be a lecturer at Brooklyn College and said he was from a royal family.”

The woman searched online but could not find his name on the school’s website. Despite her doubts, she agreed to visit his home in Rynfield.

However, upon arrival, she felt too uneasy to enter and remained outside.

On a second invitation, she went inside and noticed the house was largely unfurnished.

“He said he wanted to introduce me to his ancestors, pointing out a specific room where this would take place. Whenever I declined to enter, he would grow angry and shout at me. I refused because of the disturbing dream I had.

“At one stage, he told me I should ‘go big’ and open an estate agency business, promising he would invest in it,” she said.

In another incident, the man reportedly phoned her, claiming he was stranded in the Free State with a flat tyre and needed her to assist.

The woman said she refused and the man then told her he needed R1 400 to pay a friend to assist him.

When she explained she couldn’t withdraw the amount, he lashed out, insisting he knew how banks worked, before abruptly ending the call.

She said that after this he became distant and eventually cut off all communication.

Police 
Benoni SAPS urges victims who may be ashamed or afraid to visit the police station and report any suspicious behaviour or activities linked to romantic scams, to instead use channels for anonymous reporting.

According to the police station’s spokesperson Captain Nomsa Sekele, anonymous reporting can be done via the SAPS Crime Stop hotline on 08600 10111 or by using the MySAPS mobile app, which allows users to send tips directly to police without revealing their identity.

There is also a suggestion box at the Customer Service Center in the police station.

The police emphasised romantic scams are not just financial crimes but they often involve emotional and psychological manipulation.

Also Read: Your hot date may be a hotline to becoming a scam victim