Another case of tourists being robbed by fake policemen shortly after arriving in the country has come to light.
Sandton Chronicle reported in Week ending 10 February, about two British tourists who were robbed using a similar modus operandi.
In the latest incident, eight tourists arriving from Saudi Arabia were robbed of their cash when the shuttle they were transported in was pulled over by three ‘policemen’ in civilian clothes on the N1 South before the Rivonia off-ramp.
Ken Copeland, who was driving the shuttle, said that three men in a grey Volkswagen Jetta pulled up alongside them, flashed a badge and told them to pull over. “When they stopped us, one guy asked for my licence and took the keys to the vehicle. Another climbed into the shuttle and said he was checking for weapons and asked for the passports of the tourists,” said Copeland.
He continued that the third suspect threatened to shoot people if they did not comply. “The one suspect took all the money out of the wallets and threw the wallets back in the shuttle. One of them then threw the keys to the shuttle on the road and they sped off.”
“About US $7 000 [about R90 738] was taken from the tourists as well as an iPhone,” said Copeland.
Constable David Mothapo, spokesperson for Sandton Police Station, confirmed that three suspects in a grey Volkswagen Jetta were involved.
Anyone with information is urged to contact Sandton Police Station.
Details: 011 722 4200.
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