There is a new scam in Ermelo to part honest people from their money.
The newspaper knows of at least three incidents at a local shopping centre where thieves have made off, or tried to make off, with unsuspecting people’s money.
The modus operandi of a well-dressed and polite couple is to approach a person with the that they are foreigners , new to South Africa and do not know what South African money looks likes .
They then ask their intended victim to show them some money, only to snatch it and flee.
The first shop-owner was not taken in by their tall tale and showed them the door.
Their second attempt at a shop just next door yielded better results .
The shop assistant was just about to cash up when the couple pounced. She was more credulous and opened the till for the man. The two swindlers kept her distracted and eventually made off with all the money in the till, a few thousand rand, as well as a piece of women’s clothing hidden in the woman’s bag.
The third incident was in another shop in the centre where the scamsters used the same story to steal R600 from an elderly shopper in a wheelchair.
Shop-owners, staff members and the public at large should be aware of this latest criminal ploy.
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