‘She said she was a cop' – Pinetown pensioners scammed out of half a million rand
AN elderly Pinetown couple is shattered after being scammed of their hard-earned savings of R500 000 by a woman posing as a police officer.
Recalling the ordeal, Donald Bristol told the Highway Mail that he received a phone call from a woman who introduced herself as Detective Mudalay, claiming to represent the SAPS.
The woman informed him that there was an ongoing issue involving the cloning of his bank cards and that she was investigating the matter.
'She stated that she needed to visit me personally to discuss the case. I notified the security at the gate of my residential complex to allow her access. The woman arrived at my flat, presented herself professionally, and explained the alleged card cloning issue in detail.
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She mentioned that the case was being handled in co-ordination with the Pinetown SAPS. Her demeanor and presentation led me to trust her,' said the the 87-year-old Bristol.
During the woman's visit, Bristol said the scammer requested his bank debit and cheque cards, including the PINs, and also took his cellphone, saying it was needed for the investigation.
'I complied with her request but I never gave her my pin number. I have never used any form of online banking prior to this incident.'
Over the following days, the woman contacted Bristol on his wife's phone with a private number, instructing him not to speak to anyone about the case, as it could compromise the investigation.
'On Thursday, May 8, I received another call, allegedly from the bank, stating that the cards would only be ready by Monday, May 12, but I now believed this was also the impersonator. On Friday, May 9, she called again and instructed me to meet her at the bank in Josiah Gumede Road, Pinetown, to receive my new bank cards and have my cellphone returned.'
On Monday, May 12, the couple went to the branch.
While inside the bank, Bristol said he received another call from the same woman, again insisting he say nothing to anyone and asked me to meet her outside the bank.
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'We went outside but could not find her. We returned inside and spoke with a bank employee. After checking my account, we discovered I had been a victim of fraud and that multiple unauthorised transactions had occurred.
'The bank staff printed out the list of fraudulent transactions for us.'
The statements show a number of transactions at various grocery shops, liquor outlets and clothing stores, which includes sophisticated shops which sell designer brands.
When they realised it was a scam, they proceeded to Pinetown SAPS and opened a criminal case.
The couple has a CCTV footage of the impersonator entering the residential complex.
The devastated Pinetown residents said it has been over two months and they have not received any assistance.
'We do not know how this woman got hold of my contact details and my address. We do not even have family in the country, my family is overseas.'
Pinetown SAPS communications officer Jennifer Naidu said a case of fraud is being investigated.
'The investigating officer has obtained video footage and held a meeting with the complainant to gather further information. Police are following leads,' said Naidu.
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