THE Facebook con artist who has been attempting to rob local people of money is still very active, warns the Community Crime Prevention Organisation (CCPO).
The fraudster alleges to know the whereabouts of missing pets, people or stolen vehicles and asks for a sum of money in return for information.
“World’s View Road residents had their car stolen on Saturday afternoon, 31 March,” said CCPO’s George Snodey. “Details of the incident were posted on Facebook, with the owner hoping to have the car returned via social media, as sometimes miracles do happen. The con artist, who claimed to know where the car was hidden, contacted them with this great news, wanting payment upfront before he divulged any information. Fortunately these people smelled a rat and didn’t fall for his story, refusing to pay.”
Read also: Isipingo mom pistol-whipped as day-old BMW hijacked
Snodey went on to explain that the con artist is indeed very convincing and sometimes even claims to be a policeman.
“You need to know that if the SAPS find your car, you don’t have to pay anything to get it back,” he said. The World’s View resident’s car was later found in Umlazi and taken to the pound.
“These people were fortunate as they not only held onto their hard-earned cash, but they also got their car back,” he said. “This low-life also stalks people who have lost pets or are looking for missing people. I would suggest if you do suffer a loss of one or the other, to ask anyone claiming to have details to send you a photo of the vehicle, person or animal. If they are unable to do so, don’t get sucked into their net.”
Snodey advised that if you find yourself in this situation, only agree to pay once what is missing is right in front of you.
“If he informs you that your stolen car is being resprayed or is due to cross the border very soon, in an attempt to make you rush, laugh it off as it’s an old trick he has used many times,” he said.
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