Don’t be too kind: strangers have no mercy

The community is warned to be more vigilant during the festive season as common robberies by opportunists are on the rise.

Victims are approached and targeted on their way to busy places such as shopping malls and taxi ranks.

One victim was approached and stopped by two unknown men who pretended to be prophets and preachers.

“The false prophets strongly warned his victim of something very bad that was going to happen to her family in few days to come. The false prophet then advised his victim to close her eyes so that they could pray for her family. The desperate victim, who was in possession of a laptop, complied and closed her eyes,” Kagiso police spokesperson, Warrant Officer Solomon Sibiya, said.

While the prophet was busy tending to the victim, his accomplice allegedly stole the victim’s laptop and snuck away.

“Police have noted that in most cases there is a conversation or some kind that takes place between the victim and the robber before any commission of robbery. Victims end up losing large sums of cash.”

It has also come under police’s attention that children are also targeted at shopping malls.

“When children leave the mall with groceries, the suspect will then approach and ask them to quickly buy him/ her something while guarding their groceries.”

Children are lured and given extra cash to also buy themselves something.

When they return they are shocked to learn that the suspect along with their groceries has disappeared.

“Police advises the public to stop believing strangers and to be cautious in crowded areas as opportunists take advantage of such environments. Do not be too kind to strangers as they have no mercy,” Sibiya concluded.

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