Bail scam targets worried families

A NEW scam was reported last week by our sister paper in Dundee, the Northern Natal Courier, and elsewhere in KZN, so it seems likely that before long someone will probably try it in Vryheid too.

The NN Courier article says that the police in Dundee report that a woman received a phone call from someone calling himself “Captain Edwards” (obviously he could use any name), and he told the woman that her boyfriend had been arrested.

The “Captain” had apparently “already spoken to the prosecutor”, and R2,000 in cash was requested to “release her boyfriend from custody”. He demanded that the money be paid that day, as “tomorrow, bail will be R5,000.” He asked her to deposit the money at the Money Market counter at Shoprite, Dundee, and left his telephone details.

“Captain Edwards” promised that once the R2,000 had been received he would bring the woman’s boyfriend home “before I go off duty”.

The R2,000 was duly paid, and the victim then waited expectantly for the boyfriend’s return. When he did not arrive she tried calling Captain Edwards, but the phone was not on, and the family soon realised they had been conned.

So beware, and be aware.