Conman back in town plying his trade

Residents and businesses are warned that a previous offender, who plied his trade as a con man, is back in town after a three-year respite.

The modus operandi of this villain is to pretend he is a local chief traffic officer. He introduces himself to unsuspecting citizens as “Captain James” and then spins a story that his traffic vehicle has run out of petrol whereupon he asks for money.

He is well dressed and even hands out his contact number to his benefactors.

Peet Grobbelaar was chief inspector traffic Mbombela in Hazyview when “Captain James” first started with his antics in town. Grobbelaar remembered the case clearly as he had set up a trap for the thief. “He was arrested, “says Grobbelaar, “and charged with pretending to be a traffic official.”

Should residents or businesses be approached by this man they are requested to report the matter to police immediately.