Con artists have found a new way of getting you to part with your hard-earned money, by contacting police stations, introducing themselves as ‘a Captain from the province’ to obtain details of suspects detained in the police cells, as well as contact details of relatives.

Captain Thulani Zwane, SAPS provincial spokesman, told the Courier that relatives are then contacted and told that a family member has been arrested and detained, and ‘bail money’ needs to be paid.

“The criminals will tell them to deposit cash at a shop where there is a Money Market desk. The suspects withdraw the money and simply disappear. We warn the community to take precautions when dealing with unknown people over the phone. They must always communicate with the local police station where bail should be paid – if there is any.”

Anyone who suspects such a scam is asked to report it immediately to the police, or call the Crime Stop number: 0860 010 111.