Parkview Police Station has warned complainants opening a case of theft of a motor vehicle to be on their guard against a bogus cop.
Spokesperson for the Parkview Police Station Captain Tintswalo Sibeko said, “A complainant alleged that she received several calls from a male person pretending to be a cop after the victim opened a case of theft of a motor vehicle on 8 November.”
The bogus cop claimed that the victim’s car had been recovered at a border gate, but for the car to be transported, the complainant must transfer R3 000 for the towing and petrol. The victim was also to use their cell phone to transfer the money to a particular cell phone.
“In other instances, they would request for money to be transferred via eWallet, Money Market or Pep or else she would get her car next July,” said Sibeko, adding that the victim paid the money and no vehicle was recovered.
Sibeko said that Parkview police warns complainants opening a case of theft of a motor vehicle to not fall for this scam. “You must note that there are people phoning around claiming to have recovered the vehicles and demanding money of R3 000 or more to bring the vehicle to the complainant’s house.
“Don’t fall for such as it is a scam. Those are bogus police. Don’t pay anything. Once you pay, they disappear and the cell phone is switched off and disconnected.”
Sibeko said that when police recover a vehicle, they will request that the complainants come to the vehicle identification safeguard unit with their car papers to identify the vehicle, which is returned free of charge.
“Parkview SAPS is investigating a case of theft under false pretences.”
Anyone who was scammed around the Parkview policing precinct should come forward or contact Lieutenant Colonel Fatima Gaffoor on 011 067 6000; 082 371 9123.
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