The Ermelo Vehicle Crime Investigation Unit issued a warning regarding vehicles that were reported as stolen.
The police will not demand money or payment for the return of a vehicle.
The scenario is always as follows:
A person “X” reports his vehicle as stolen and and a few days later “X” receives a call by someone pretending to be from a vehicle theft unit from some distant place.
The complainant is sweet-talked by the phony policeman into believing that his vehicle was recovered and can possibly sustain damage at the police pound and that they want to return the vehicle.
Money for petrol is then asked since the police breakdown truck is broken.
The fact that they are doing “X” a favour is stressed.
This money transfer is usually arranged through the E-Wallet system at certain chain stores.
The transfer can therefore not be traced to a specific person and the cell phone numbers that are used are prepaid numbers that are not registered with RICA.
If the police recover a vehicle, the complainant will be contacted for an official identification and disposal to the owner or relevant insurance company.
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