Police are warning the public not to fall for scams involving supposed gold or precious stones.
If you are offered a share of gold or precious stones, do not engage in conversation with the people making the offer. Instead immediately leave the area and report this activity to police.
A 48-year-old Ladysmith woman recently fell foul of such a scam.
She was approached at a local shopping centre on Monday (March 13) by three people. The three showed her ‘stones’ they claimed were rough, uncut diamonds. The three convinced the woman that all they needed to do was fetch a polishing agent from someone in Murchison Street. In exchange for a lift to the place where the polishing agent was kept, the woman was offered a share of the polished gems.
She took the ‘sellers’ in her vehicle to the place where the alleged product could be purchased and once there, she gave them R1000 in cash and her two cell-phones as payment.
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The men then disappeared with the ‘stones’, her cash and cell-phones, never returning.
Police are warning the public to be aware of this type of scam.
The public is also reminded that it is a criminal offence to deal in any uncut precious stones or raw metals if you are not duly authorised to do so.
Do not attempt to buy items on the street, as those offering the items may be trying to involve you in a scam or may be involved in illegal mining.
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