The family, who asked not to be identified, described the man, who goes by the name of Marius Banjies, as tall and skinny with brown hair, long eyelashes and large ears.
He approached them claiming he was their new gay neighbour.
According to them, the man said he recently moved into a house three properties away.
“He said that he accidentally locked himself out of the house and needed to use a cellular phone to call his mother who had spare keys,” a member of the family said.
After the family allowed the man onto their property he attempted to call his mother.
When she did not answer his call, the family offered “Marius” a sandwich and some juice and listened to how he was supposedly an events and wedding co-ordinator who was being treated at the Charlotte Maxeke (Johannesburg Hospital) for leukaemia.
“He convinced us that he needed R500 for petrol money because his mother never left her car full and he would return the money that evening,” the family told the NEWS.
A while later the man asked his victims if they could give him a lift to Benoni so he could fetch the spare keys from his mother.
“While on the way to Benoni he proceeded to call his mother again and had a supposed conversation with her,” a member of the family said.
After the man was dropped off, the family did not see him again and when they dialled the numbers he had called, they discovered that the numbers did not exist.
Back at their house the family found the man had not only stolen heir money but had also taken items from the house and did not stay at the property he claimed to have moved into.
Acting spokesperson for the Edenvale SAPS, Lieutenant Colonel Robbie Roberts, warned residents to not fall for “the sob stories of strangers”.
“This type of criminal will stop at nothing to take advantage of good-hearted residents. Often they are witty, funny and charming. This is part of their plan to entice residents to hand over money and goods,” he said.
Residents who are approached by anyone in a similar way should contact the Edenvale SAPS immediately.
Edenvale SAPS sector police numbers:
- Edenvale residents living or working in Marais Steyn Park, Dowerglen, Dunvegan, Elma Park or part of the Avenues from Horwood Street to Hendrik Potgieter Street fall under Sector 1. The Edenvale Hospital and Sizwe Hospital also fall under Sector 1. Sector 1 vehicle contact numbers are 071 675 6840 and 071 675 6841.
- Edenvale residents living or working in Greenstone, Eastleigh, Illiondale, De Klerk’s Hof and part of the Avenues from Hendrik Potgieter Street to Aitken Road, fall under Sector 2. Sector 2 vehicle contact numbers are 071 675 6842 and 071 675 6843.
- Edenvale residents living or working in Isandovale, Harmelia, Highway Gardens, Edenglen or Hurlyvale fall under Sector 3. Sector 3 vehicle contact numbers are 071 675 6844 or 071 675 6845.
