A DOMESTIC worker has urged the community to be cautious after she was scammed while shopping at a Windermere supermarket.
Nokuthula Mlotshwa said her bank card, and more than R1000 cash were stolen during an elaborate scam. She shared her ordeal with the Berea Mail this week.
She said she was shopping at the supermarket on July 22, when a woman approached her and showed her a stack of cash, saying she had found it on a supermarket shelf. The woman said she was nervous about leaving the store with the cash and asked Mlotshwa to leave her shopping and walk with her out of the store.
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“I asked the woman to wait while I paid for my shopping,” said Nokuthula.
When the woman persisted, asking for help, Mlotshwa gave in to the woman’s request and walked out with her. Outside she was approached by two men dressed in blue shirts and black jeans, who claimed to be police officers.
“They said I was under arrest for picking up the money inside the shop. They acted like they were on the phone, talking to their boss. They took me and the lady in a car. They said they were taking us to make a statement at the police station. The nearest police station is Durban Central station, but they didn’t go in that direction,” she said.
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“They said I must take my money and bank card and put it in an envelope. I was in shock. I didn’t know what was happening, but I knew I was being robbed. I was in a bad situation, I couldn’t scream. I gave them my money, I had R1120 on me. I put it in the envelope with my bank card,” said Mlotshwa.
After taking her money and bank card, the men dropped Mlotshwa in Redhill.
Spokesperson for the Durban Central SAPS, Captain Muzi Maphumulo urged victims of this scam to report the matter to SAPS.
“This is an old scam where people take a roll of money and show it to the potential victim. They will show the money and say ‘because we saw this together, let’s share this money.’ If you see money on the floor, don’t take it. Usually, it is a trap. Criminals are leaving money to trick people. Do not get involved. If you do not get involved, you won’t be followed by people who are posing as police officers. With regards to police officers, if you are approached, you have a right to ask to see their badge. I must warn people not to entertain this scam it has been all over KZN,” he said.
Mlotshwa described the woman involved in the scam as a middle-aged. She has a medium build and height with a dark-skinned complexion.
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