Limpopo Hawks issued a warning on Tuesday to alert residents of Polokwane about the so called black dollar scam in which a person lost R140 000 recently.
“The victim who was selling his house in one of the surrounding areas of Polokwane alleged that the suspect approached him as a potential buyer. After a conversation the suspect talked him into the scam and promised him to double his money within days. The victim withdrew R140 000 from a bank and handed the cash to the suspect,” Limpopo Hawks Spokesperson Matimba Maluleke said.
The money was wrapped in a blanket and the victim told not to open it before a certain period has passed. “When the time of opening the package arrived, the victim found that it was filled with papers resembling money. The suspect could not be traced by the victim and the Police were informed,” Maluleke said.
Somehow the suspect managed to change the money in the blanket with papers without the victim noticing. It forms part of the investigation, according to Maluleke.
“We want to warn people not to fall victim to this scam by succumbing to the absurd demands. No money can be doubled just like that. If you hear such sweet talk, know that you are about to be swindled. Rather report the matter to the Police immediately,” Maluleke said.
Provincial Police Head of Corporate Communication Mojapelo Motlafela said despite regular warning from the Police residents continue to fall for scams.
“The biggest reason is that suspects approach their victims with attractive and convincing ways, deals or options to make money that they cannot easily resist. People are money hungry and gullible enough to become the prey of scammers,” Mojapelo said.
He added that people should be more open-minded when approached by scammers because it is not that easy to increase or even double your money. He advised that people should report incidents of people pulling off scams to the nearest Police station immediately.
Story: RC Myburgh
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