An Atteridgeville man has been arrested for theft by false pretences after he allegedly tricked students into believing he could rid them of bad luck and curses.
Sunnyside police spokesperson Daniel Mavimbela said the man was suspected to be behind the swindling the female students who believed he was a prophet of their laptops.
“The suspect was arrested in Sunnyside on Friday after he was spotted by one of his alleged victims who notified the police,” said Mavimbela.
The man was said to have approached his victims in public and “prophesying” over them.
Mavimbela said the man would dupe victims into handing over their belongings after the “prophesy”.
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“The suspect would then prompt the victim to go buy certain items from the local supermarket under the guise that these would be used during rituals to cast away bad luck and curses from the victims.”
He said when the victims returned, the “prophet would have disappeared into thin air”.
Mavimbela said according to reports, the students had allegedly been swindled of seven laptops this way.
“Police will [also] charge the suspect for the possession of suspected stolen motor vehicle since he and another man were found in possession of a white Toyota Tazz that was reportedly stolen in Letlhabile near Brits during December 2018.”
He said the vehicle was reportedly used as the getaway car by the “prophet”.
Mavimbela advised citizens to remain vigilant as false prophets were rife in the Sunnyside area.
“Sunnyside residents are the most susceptible for this type of scam.”
Mavimbela said inexperienced students in their late teens or early 20 must beware such people.
“The suspect is to be charged with theft, possession of a suspected stolen motor vehicle and property, and will appear in the Pretoria magistrate’s court soon.”
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