Cash-filled envelope scam nearly turns into robbery for Riverside View man
He thought it was his lucky day when he spotted an envelope full of cash. Little did he know, it was all part of a cunning scam that nearly got him robbed.
Innocent Modiba, a resident of Riverside View, just outside Fourways, had a close call with a cunning scam on July 13.
Modiba was on his way to get a haircut when he spotted a guy in front of him wearing shorts, a white t-shirt, and flip-flops.
The man dropped a brown envelope, seemingly stacked with a bunch of R100 notes.
“An envelope has a small, transparent rectangle that you are able to see what is inside. So, I saw a R100 note. The envelope was small in size and full of, what it seemed like, R100 notes,” said Modiba
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Modiba said he was then approached by another individual, dressed formally as if he was coming from church. He said the man pointed out the dropped envelope and suggested they share the contents. “I tried to whistle to alert the owner, but the guy said: ‘No. Don’t be foolish. Let us go and check what’s inside and share it. We can already see that it is money. Let’s go’.”
That is when Modiba’s instincts kicked in. He remembered reading a post on social media about a similar scam, and he was not going to fall for it. “Luckily, I was not far from the salon. So, I quickly rushed in. Shortly after, I saw both guys together, getting into a private vehicle which came out of nowhere. They then drove off.”
Modiba said he is still shocked about what happened to him. He said he knew they were going to rob him of what he had on him. He was even hesitant to speak with Fourways Review, thinking it was one of the guys continuing where they left off. “That is why I went online, to alert the community to be vigilant. It is not safe. Criminals are getting smarter with their scams.”
Also read: Lonehill resident targeted in water scam after months without access
Lieutenant Colonel Mpho Tshetlhane, from the District Police in Johannesburg, was reached out for comment on the following questions:
- Has SAPS received reports of similar ‘dropped envelope’ scams in the area?
- Is this a known tactic within local or national scam patterns?
- What advice would you offer to members of the public who may encounter this type of scam?
An update will be provided as soon as the response becomes available.
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