Livestock owners are warned to beware of a scam that seems to be doing the rounds.
A Bergville stock owner recently received a call from a person proposing to be a police officer. The “officer” alleged that he was from another province and that he had recovered the stock owner’s recently stolen cattle. He promised to have the recovered cattle delivered to the farm at a small cost which would need to be deposited into a bank account.
The amount was allegedly for transport costs.
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When the farmer questioned why the local Stock Theft Unit and the investigating officer in his case were not involved in the recovery, the caller was reluctant to provide any answers.
The commander of the Ladysmith Stock Theft Unit has confirmed that at least two other stock owners in the Uthukela area have been contacted with the same promise. Fortunately, they all made contact with their local investigators to confirm the caller’s story.
Police are appealing to stock owners not to fall victim to this kind of scam and to first contact the local Stock Theft Unit or their investigating officer if they are approached by anyone with this type of request.
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