When Valerie Seal of Olivedale opened her home to a couple, little did she know that she was welcoming and allowing criminals into her space.
Seal, who lives at a retirement village in Olivedale, said on 6 June, a couple knocked at her door and claimed to have been looking for their aunt in the same complex but seemed to have been lost. “They said they had travelled from Nelspruit and were not sure of the unit number,” said Seal.
She continued, “The man asked if he could use my toilet, while the young woman said they had had a long journey and I offered to make them coffee. They chatted and the man had to use the toilet three times. He said he had eaten a pie and it had upset him.”
Seal said after their departure with directions to another retirement village, she discovered that the man had emptied her purse in the bedroom and stolen her jewellery.
Seal’s retirement village has controlled access but she said the security guard also fell into the couple’s trap. She shared that the couple dialed a random number at the gate but there was no response. Following that, the guard opened for them and that is how they managed to gain entry into the complex.
The pensioner is now left distraught and can’t believe that she was so easily conned like that in her own home. With her ordeal and experience, Seal said she doesn’t want anyone to be as gullible as she was. “Irrespective of how legit their story sounds, never let any stranger into your house,” warned Seal. She mentioned that she has previously heard of a similar incident occurring at their complex and somehow believes that criminals are now targeting retirement villages.
Draining and hurtful as the situation has been for Seal, she commended the Douglasdale Police for rendering an exceptional service. “Everyone at the station was helpful and took time to listen to my story. They were not judgemental at all. The investigating officer is also very hands on and always updating me on developments,” shared Seal.
Spokesperson for Douglasdale Police, Warrant Officer Balan Muthan confirmed that a case of theft has been opened at their station and said it is still under investigation. He also urged residents to not allow strangers into their homes.
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