Don’t fall victim to money-dropping scam
Pinetown Police said this crime is on the increase, and scammers usually target elderly women.
PINETOWN SAPS has once again emphasised the issue of the money-dropping scam as it has increased drastically.
The station’s communications officer, Jennifer Naidu, said that recent cases opened have revealed that this crime has been happening mostly at Kings Road and Josiah Gumede Road.
According to Naidu, a woman will drop the money, and then 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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Naidu said these scammers usually target elderly women between 60 and 70 years.
While counting the money, a vehicle, usually occupied by two men, drives up to the two while pretending to be police officers.
“They instruct them to get inside the car and tell them they are taking the victim to Pinetown SAPS because the money that the victim and female suspect have belongs to a robbery victim.
“They then demand the money that was picked up and the victim’s handbag and cellphone. They drive outside of town and demand the Pins for the ATM card. Then they drop the victim off, give her a taxi fare and drive away. They don’t assault the victims. No firearms are used,” reported Naidu.
She said these scammers also target people on the escalator using the same modus operandi.
“Either a middle-aged or elderly woman lady will drop the money on the escalator and say they must share it outside.”
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Naidu said the vehicles used are a white or silver VW Polo, a white Toyota Yaris and silver Toyota Etios. No registration numbers are available.
The cases opened are for common robbery and kidnapping.
She added that these scammers usually target their victims on Tuesdays and Thursdays between 09:30 and 15:45.
“It also randomly happens on Saturday mornings around 08:00 and 10:00.”
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