Scammers try daring R200 000 swindle
Four scammers had convinced a man in his late 60s to withdraw R200 000 from his account to invest in their fraudulent scheme.
A group of scam artists were arrested when they attempted to swindle a man of his savings on Friday.
The four scammers were attempting to get away with R200 000 when the police arrested them outside a Standard Bank in Silverton on Friday.
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The four were granted bail by the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court and would appear in court again this week.
Silverton police spokesperson Captain Jan Sepato said the four, three females and a man aged between 40 and 57 years, had convinced a man in his late 60s to withdraw R200 000 from his account to invest in their fraudulent scheme.
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He said the four were in Mamelodi on Thursday recruiting “investors” to their scheme.
Sepato said the man was convinced and agreed to go to the bank with the crooks, but when the group got to the bank the woman teller became suspicious.
Sepato said the teller told the pensioner and the two women accompanying him to return the following day and then alerted the police.
On Friday morning the four scammers and the pensioner returned to the bank.
The group was arrested outside the bank holding money bags that seemed to have cash inside.
Sepato said upon investigation police noticed the bags only contained bread slices and useless paper.
“We believe the bags would be used to con the pensioner into believing he had all his money after the cash withdrawal only to find out later that he had worthless envelopes.”
A docket for conspiracy to commit fraud was opened.
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He said police commended the vigilant teller for her efforts.
Sapato urged people to be careful of scams, especially heading into the festive season.
“Scammers are on high alert and want to take people’s hard-earned money. Be very careful who you inform of your financial status.”
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