Black Dollar scam suspects arrested
The scam involves getting the unwitting victim to believe that the scam artists can turn black paper into dollars.
TWO men have been arrested for their involvement in a black dollar scam by the Hawks. James Mator (41) and Peabody Spencer (40) were charged for fraud, resisting arrest and assault. According to Captain Simphiwe Mhlongo, members conducted an undercover operation after they received information about the two suspects who were scamming the victim.
“The accused requested money to pay for their luggage which they claimed were in the ship at Durban Harbour. The victim allegedly gave them money and they kept on asking for more. They further promised a victim that they will make him rich if he pays them R162 000,” he said.
The scam involves getting the unwitting victim to believe that the scam artists can turn black paper into dollars. Also known as the ‘wash wash scam’, con artists also attempt to fraudulently obtain money from the victim by persuading him or her that piles of banknote-sized paper in a trunk or a safe are actually currency notes that have been dyed to avoid detection by authorities.
“They appeared in the Durban Commercial Court on Tuesday and were remanded in custody. The case was postponed to 29 June. The community is warned to refrain from giving money to strangers,” Mhlongo said.
