Crisis Centre targeted by scam artist

Dastardly deeds are afoot, as a woman has allegedly used the Newcastle Crisis Centre as a front to rob an unsuspecting victim.

Nomvelo Buthelezi, the centre’s house mother, explained how she and Mary Dobbie, the centre’s manager, were made aware of the crime. “We had gone out and when we came back, a man ran into the centre’s grounds and asked where the other woman was.”

Confused, Ms Buthelezi said Mrs Dobbie got all the staff outside and asked the man who he was looking for. It was then discovered the man had fallen victim to a crime.

Allegedly, he had been on his way to the crisis centre. Outside the property, he met a woman who claimed she worked there.

“The woman told him he had to give her his cellphone and wallet, as he would be searched once he had entered the premises. This was allegedly for safety reasons,” Ms Buthelezi told.

After the man handed his possessions over to the woman, she apparently told him she was going to use the centre’s side entrance and open the main gate for him.

However, there was no side entrance and the woman vanished with the man’s cellphone and wallet.

While the staff of the crisis centre regret that the man was robbed, they are concerned about the negative implications it may have.

Dedicated to helping abuse victims, Ms Buthelezi and Mrs Dobbie are worried if the woman were to continue with her scam, people would refrain from seeking help.