Nelspruit – A Ugandan conman was arrested by the South African Police Service (SAPS) for fraud after fronting as a traditional healer while trying to con a 42-year-old lady out of her “hard-earned” Stokvel savings.
According to police spokesperson, Brigadier Selvy Mohlala, the scam started when the fake traditional healer approached the woman trying to get directions.
“A conman who pretended to be a traditional healer from Uganda tried to prey on the victim under the suspicion of looking for directions. Unaware of his intentions, the victim offered to assist him and gave him directions to Balfour. As a token of appreciation the suspect in return offered the victim a ride to Balfour that is when all hell broke loose when they exchanged contact numbers,” Mohlala said in a statement.
After communicating through mobile exchanges, the con artist visited the woman’s house where “the suspect overheard the victim and her friends talking about the dividends of their hard earned Stokvel savings”.
#sapsMP A 32-year-old conman who pretended to be a traditional healer from Uganda was arrested on Monday 19 December 2022 in Balfour. The suspect was charged for fraud and will be appearing before the Balfour Magistrate’s Court tomorrow. MLhttps://t.co/ho2sK1c6LV pic.twitter.com/wxvh4NigBA
— SA Police Service ?? (@SAPoliceService) December 20, 2022
The suspect allegedly told her that they needed to go to the mountain in order to “pray for the money” and then take it to the river “to cleanse it”.
The “quick-thinking” woman alerted the police after the conman turned blank notes into Rands.
“He came back with a box full of some blank notes and then asked the victim to bring him boiled water. It is indicated that the alleged conman then put three money sized blank paper notes inside the boiled water and sprinkled some powder onto the blank money sized blank papers.
“The papers turned and looked like real South African bank notes. The victim smelled a rat and quickly alerted the police who responded and the suspect was found at the victim’s house,” Mohlala said.
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“An investigation was launched and upon searching his belongings, police found a box with blank notes that resembles South African Bank notes inside his car. The investigation revealed that some of well-cut paper fitting the size of money were found wrapped with real 100 rands Bank notes,” the brigadier added.
The suspect was arrested and charged with fraud, but police said they could not rule out the possibility of adding more charges of contravening the Immigration Act against the suspect.
The Provincial Commissioner of the police in Mpumalanga Mpumalanga Lieutenant General Semakaleng Daphney Manamela welcomed the manner in which the matter was handled.
“Perpetrators of crime must take note that the province of Mpumalanga will never be allowed to be a playground for dirty deals” the general said.
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Compiled by Junaid Benjamin
