Media Release – SAPS Vanderbijlpark

MEDIA RELEASE

24 AUGUST 2011

MEDIA STATEMENT FROM THE OFFICE OF THE STATION COMMANDER, BRIGADIER THEMBA DENGE

ELDERLY PEOPLE TARGETED BY SCAM ARTISTS

The Vanderbijlpark SAPS is investigating several cases of fraud linked to a group of scam artists operating in the Vanderbijlpark area.
What is of grave concern to us is the fact that our elderly citizens are specifically targeted by these criminals.

It is alleged that the suspects (group of two white males and one african male) approached
the victims at shopping complexes and in our CBD and claimed to be promoting a
competition in which they can double the victim’s money.  A set of cards was then
produced and the victims were then asked to pick one.  After choosing a card the victims
were congratulated and then told that they need to go and draw a certain amount of
money from their bank account which will then be doubled by the so-called promoters.

The suspects then accompanied the victims for the withdrawal of money, in one case an amount of R90 000-00 was obtained from the victim, but the amounts requested can differ.  The suspects then took the money with the promise of bringing back double the amount to the victim.  Neither the suspects nor the money was ever seen again and the victims reported the incidents to the SAPS.

This growing scam is affecting more and more of our elderly people and we wish to warn them against this trend.  These criminals are well spoken, neatly dressed and very convincing.  We are further more appealing to our community to come forward if theyhave fallen victim to this scam.  W/O Gary Barnard are requesting victims to contact him between 08:00 and 09:00 on (016) 910 9028.