My husband and I live at Reuven Old Age Home. We were conned out of valuable jewellery. The incident occurred on Friday, May 27 during the late afternoon, when a man, middle-aged, short and well-dressed and of Indian descent, and speaks very eloquently, approached us.
This man showed us a pamphlet that advertises the buying of old and broken gold and diamond jewellery. He told us that he bought old jewellery from a resident of Reuven for R5 000. He saw a jewellery box on the dressing table just next to our bed, and he asked to have a look at it. He spread the jewellery on the bed. I told him that some of the jewellery belonged to my late mother, I will never part with it because it has a great sentimental value. It consists of a golden wedding ring, a Tree of Life gold pendant and studs. He threw the jewellery back into the box and he asked to use to the toilet.
This man saw a brass jewellery box, on top of our cupboard; he asked to have a look at it. My husband took it off, and gave it him. He searched through the contents and offered my husband R3 500 cash for it. My husband agreed. He said he had to call someone to bring the R3 500 because he had no money on him. While waiting the man took paper and wrapped it around the brass box with all the jewellery inside and used sticky tape to secure it.
He left and said he would be back soon. My husband accompanied him, but he asked him not to come outside, but rather go inside and lock the door for security reasons. There was another tallish man waiting outside. And the two disappeared among the many flats.
After waiting for some time, it appeared that this man was not coming back, I decided to look into my jewellery box, to my horror, I found that my mother’s jewellery was gone. We searched the other box, and most of the valuable jewellery was also gone except for the few broken ones. We were astounded and confused that a complete stranger could con us so easily, and he did it with so much skill, we could never suspect that he was a crook.
My husband, who walks with great difficulty, asked one of the residents to help him look for this man, but he was nowhere to be found. Someone saw a car driving out of the complex during the same time that the crime was committed.
From the pamphlet we called the number and spoke to the owners of the shop that buys old gold jewellery. They told us that they don’t know any one of that description, and that they only operate in Vereeniging.
We didn’t go to the police as we walk with great difficulty, and the thought of going to the police will be a nightmare because the discomfort and pain will be unbearable. My husband and I decided to hand over the matter to the Lord, for He knows how to deal with such people.
We wish to send out a warning to all the elderly and vulnerable people especially at all the retirement villages to be alert at all times, and not to become soft targets. Don’t ever trust those that are smartly dressed and appear friendly and confident and make huge offers to entice you with parting of your valuables.
Mr and Mrs Hennie Aslepp
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