A CLAIRWOOD man was scammed out of almost R200,000 by a woman who promised him instant riches on Sunday, 15 January.
The debacle started when the man’s two cellphones were stolen.
The fraud victim saw sticker advertisements identifying ways to get back stolen property and with the hopes of his getting his phones back, he went to the building where he met a woman.
He told her his problem and she asked him to give her R400.
“She gave him a powder to sprinkle where the cellphones were last kept. The next day she called him and asked for R500,” said Montclair SAPS communication officer, Cpt Dereck Vijiam.
The man heard strange voices in the background and asked her who she was with. She told him they were Nigerian men who have his phones as well as a large sum of money.
The man, who this time was accompanied by his wife, met with the strange woman who showed them a safe claiming that it contained R2-million. In order to get it they would have to pay R200,000. Not having the full amount, he managed to pay R70,000, then later another R80,000 for the safe. He was instructed to place a bottle wrapped in cloth next to his bed.
Overjoyed with their sudden ‘riches’, the couple opened the safe believing money would pour out but were greeted instead by mounds of white cloth and sand. Only then did they realise they had been scammed out of almost R200,000.
Cpt Vijiam warns people to not fall easily for the scam artists.
“All they want is your money. They are good liars who are very convincing in making people part with their money. They start off small and gradually move on to larger amounts, promising you all sorts of things. Be vigilant and smart about who you trust. If you do come across scam artists, report them to the police immediately.”
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