CON artists using a ‘mysterious’ white powder pretending to be cops managed to scam an elderly woman out of her money.
The 62-year-old woman told Kempton Park SAPS that the substance was sprayed in her face by an unknown man, who walked up to her as she was walking along Monument Road.
According to police spokesperson, Capt Jethro Mtshali, the incident occurred on Saturday, July 18, at around 11am.
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“Just after the man had sprayed the white powdery substance in her face, she said another unknown male suddenly appeared and pretended to assist her. The same man who pretended to be helping her asked the victim to accompany him to a vehicle,” Mtshali explained.
The vehicle was also on Monument Road and had three occupants inside. The occupants introduced themselves as police officers and told her the powder that was sprayed in her face was used as a magical powder that would make her money disappear from her bank account.
Through this deception, the woman was subsequently convinced to withdraw all her money.
“She was lured to FNB where she withdrew R34 000. The money was allegedly taken by the suspects. The victim later discovered, through a bank SMS notification, that goods worth R999 were purchased at a PEP Store. A further R800 was allegedly withdrawn from an ATM too.”
Police are investigating a combination of robbery, fraud and theft and appeal to anyone with information to contact them on 08600-1011 or to send an SMS to crime line on 32211.
Station commander, Brig Bertha Kgoroba, warns the community to be aware of people who masquerade as police officers and lure victims to withdraw their hard earned money.
• In an unrelated matter, police arrested 27 suspects for an array of crimes.
Between Thursday, July 16, and Sunday, July 19, members of the Kempton Park Crime Prevention Unit nabbed two people for driving under the influence of alcohol, two for fraud, two for public indecency and five for shoplifting. Ten people were arrested for theft, three for house breaking and theft and two for being in possession of drugs.
