Be wary of remote jamming and ‘money-dropping’ scams – warns Pinetown police
Police have advised the public to ensure that their vehicles are properly locked and to not entertain the money dropping scammers.
PINETOWN SAPS would like to emphasise the issue of remote jamming, as incidents are on the rise in the Pinetown area, especially in shopping centres.
Captain Bongumusa Manqele, Pinetown Cluster communications officer, said the most important tip is to make sure your motor vehicle is properly locked.
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“Do not leave expensive items, such as laptops, cellphones, bags or cash, visible on your car seats. Be aware of your surroundings as criminals are always waiting to strike.”
Manqele also warned people to be aware of the money-dropping scam which also seems to have surfaced and has increased drastically.
“The money-dropping scam is taking place in the CBD in the vicinity of Kings Road. The community should not entertain those scammers who drop money on the floor with the intention to rob the victims of their hard-earned money,” says Manqele.
This scam involves a group of criminals who mostly target a person who has just drawn money from a bank and then they follow the person until they see someone ‘accidentally’ dropping money in a plastic bank bag.
“The unsuspecting victim would then be approached by another criminal, who convinces them to pick up the money bag and go to a secluded part of town where it can be shared equally between the two.
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“The victim then follows the person and once in a secluded place, they would count the money to share. However, while counting, a vehicle, occupied by other criminals, drives up to the two and tells them they are the police.
“They would then do a body search of the ‘counters’ before telling them to get into the vehicle, which is then driven to an area outside town where the victim is robbed of their valuables,” said Manqele.
Contact 10111 or Pinetown SAPS on 031 325 5080/1/2/3 to report a crime or suspicious activity.
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