Darkness provides the perfect cover for robbers hoping to go undetected, but scamsters use the trust that comes with daylight as an excuse to target unsuspecting victims. One Robertville resident refused to be a victim and thanks to her quick thinking, three alleged scamsters were arrested on Friday, 21 May.
The three men allegedly posed as independent contractors providing reconnection services to City Power when they reportedly approached the resident and demanded R20 000 to install an electricity meter box on her property.
According to Lucky Sindane from the City’s Group Forensic and Investigation Service (GFIS), City Power had moved an electricity box from outside of the property, to inside the resident’s yard in order to protect the cables from being stolen. City Power was in the process of installing the electricity meter to the property when the thugs made their move.
Suspecting something was wrong, the resident contacted GFIS and reported the matter. A sting operation was immediately set up, whereby JMPD undercover officers worked together with GFIS to arrest the suspects. JMPD spokesperson Wayne Minnaar confirmed this information, continuing to say that they were detained at the Florida Police Station.
“The City would like to commend the member of the public for refusing to be part of any corrupt activity and reporting the matter to GFIS,” praised Lucky, adding that corruption has no place in the City of Johannesburg. The GFIS will work tirelessly, in collaboration with local law enforcement, to ensure the residents of Johannesburg are protected from such crimes.
According to the GFIS statement, the suspects were expected to appear in the Roodepoort Magistrates’ Court on Monday, 24 May. However, the Regional spokesperson for the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), Phindi Mjonondwane, said the matter was not on the court role pending further investigations.
The City of Johannesburg is encouraging all residents to report any fraudulent or corrupt activities to the City’s 24-hour tip-off hotline on 0800 002 587 or by visiting the GFIS offices at 48 Ameshoff Street in Braamfontein.
