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POLICE have once again issued a warning to the public about bogus prophets who rob people of thousands of rands and valuable property.
This comes after a 29-year-old woman fell victim to three African males who posed as fortune tellers but was instead scammed out of more than R33 000. The men are alleged to be driving an old blue Mazda.
According to Capt Jethro Mtshali, spokesman for Kempton police, a woman was approached by a man at Festival Mall at about 10.15pm last week Thursday.
“The suspect allegedly first asked her for directions, then started prophesying about her life and telling her of her illness as well as family problems. She claimed a second suspect suddenly appeared and repeated the exact words of the first man,” Mtshali explained.
A third suspect then appeared, driving the blue Mazda and convinced her to withdraw money at various ATMs.
“She withdrew money at an FNB ATM at Festival Mall, East Rand Mall as well as at Woodbridge Mall in Glen Marais. All of the withdrawals equalled an amount of R33 000.”
The victim was also convinced into being escorted to her home by the suspects, where she took her laptop, before going back to Festival Mall. This time the victim was given R10 to buy water, which the “prophets” claimed they would pray for. She would then drink it to help cure her of her troubles.
“When she came back the suspects were gone with R33 000 cash, her laptop and her wristwatch worth R500.”
The station commander, Brig Bertha Kgoroba, warned the community to be careful of such con artists and requested anyone with information to contact the station on 0860-010-111 or SMS the crime line number, 32211.
