Money scam takes over the corners of the Central Business District (CBD)
When walking down the streets of the CBD, it would be wise to keep all your personal belongings out of sight and to avoid offering help to strangers when alone
An old money trick makes a comeback to the streets of eMalahleni.
In groups of at least three, some men and women occupy a corner to scout for potential victims either carrying a smartphone, laptop, handbag or similar item.
Upon identifying the potential victim, one of the culprits proceeds to walk before the potential victim and throws a ‘roll of money’ on the ground.
The victim is meant to believe this is a genuine loss.
The money is typically covered in a transparent money bag and gives the illusion of containing an unknown amount of money composed of R100 notes.
If the potential victim picks up the money and hands it back to the presumed owner, another individual enters the situation and probes the owner to give the victim a portion of the money to thank them.
The owner of the money will then tell the victim that they are new in town and are too afraid to open the bag of money in view of the public.
Here, two things can happen: At first the potential victim will be convinced to leave their belongings with the gentlemen and go into an identified safe space such as a petrol garage and take out a certain amount of money from the bag.
The logic here is that the victim is being trusted with a large amount of money and therefore has to leave their belongings behind to prove their trustworthiness.
Once the victim walks away, the culprits are collected by a car and leave with whatever items were taken from the victim who will discover that the roll of money is actually a roll of phone book pages covered with a fake R100 note that is shaded blue on both sides.
The second would be a suggestion to go to a secluded area in order to give the victim a particular amount of money, thanking them.
Upon agreeing, the culprits will lead the victim to a private area and proceed to rob them of every valuable item found on their person and bag.
The getaway car identified by a victim is a white Toyota sedan with a GP registration number.
“We need to warn the public to be very vigilant and aware that when someone points out money on the ground or recklessly throws a roll of money on the ground, they need to get away from the situation by walking into a safe space or alerting those nearby of the potential robbery. This is an old modus operandi being brought back” said Captain Eddie Hall Witbank Police Station Spokesperson.
When walking down the streets of the CBD, it would be wise to keep all your personal belongings out of sight and to avoid offering help to strangers when alone.
