A GROUP of felons impersonating police officers, pleading penury and defrauding locals of are doing the rounds again.
After Bhubhubhu Reserve resident Sanele Sandile Nkosi (22) was arrested in KwaMbonambi earlier this year for several cases of fraud, theft and impersonation, it seems other brazen criminals have continued with Nkosi’s modus operandi.
Empangeni residents have come forward after receiving suspicious phone calls from bogus cops seeking financial assistance.
‘I received a call from a man by the name of Sergeant Mthembu asking for money, claiming that his family had been involved in a car accident, leaving him distraught and without means of reaching them at the hospital.’ said resident Nick Kisten.
‘It has not been the first time I have received such requests from alleged police officers.’ Kisten added.
Earlier this year, Councillor Andre de Lange was also a victim of the scam.
‘I received a call from a ‘Sergeant Mthethwa’ who needed R300 for transport to get to the hospital in Durban as his wife and daughter had allegedly been in an accident,’ said De Lange.
Assuming he was a resident in the ward, duty-bound to help, De Lange gave him the money.
Men claiming to be detectives and officers thanked De Lange for his assistance, and indicated that their ‘colleague Sergeant Mthethwa’ needed additional financial help given his tragedy and that members of the police would reimburse him.
Becoming suspicious, De Lange contacted local police officers and following investigations, another suspect was arrested.
Empangeni SAPS spokesperson Captain Mbongeni Mdlalose urged the public to be alert to persons impersonating police officers and to come forward with information.
