South Africa: Eight pensioners have reported that they were scammed and robbed by the suspect whom the reaction unit has recently arrested. These elderly persons reported to the RUSA Headquarters in Verulam KZN on Tuesday.
They informed the reaction officers that they had seen an article on social media regarding the arrest of a wanted scammer/robber. All victims aged between 65 – 80 years old reported that they were scammed by the same male.
The suspect has been identified as a person of Indian roots. He has been scamming the elderly pensioners of their earnings for several weeks. The modus operandi of the suspect was to approach the elderly pensioners posing as a family member.
He would explain that he was related to them and then scam them out off thousands of rands. Several victims who realised they were being scammed and refused to hand over cash were held at knifepoint and robbed.
The victims, who had been scammed by this suspect confirmed that the male used a white Toyota Conquest. Detectives at the South African Police Services (SAPS) at Verulam- KZN are investigating the robbery and scamming incidents.
Reaction Officers handed over the suspect to the Police in the late hours of Monday. They are discussing the matter with SAPS Verulam Vispol Commander Colonel S. Strydom who assisted the Officers & complainants without delay.
The suspect was arrested in Westham – Phoenix on Monday afternoon after a manhunt that lasted for 72 hours. The white Toyota Conquest used in the crimes by the scammer and robber was also recovered from the suspect.
Officers surround his home and found the suspect hiding on the ceiling. At this point, He offered RUSA Officers a bribe of R50,000 in cash for his release. He was immediately restrained & taken into custody.
Detectives from SAPS Verulam are currently opposing bail of the suspect at the Verulam Magistrates Court. The officers are asking the court to grant them a seven day remand for the suspect to be held in custody.