‘Con artist’ steals from pensioners
A con artist robbed a couple of R600 of their pension money and a cellphone which contained precious images of their late son.
The incident happened at the couple’s home in Charl Cilliers Street, Boksburg North, on July 7.
According to the complainant, a tall, well-dressed man, with black curly hair, who is probably in his 30s, was pleading for help outside her property.
The man introduced himself as ‘Marius’ and told the couple that he’s a wedding planner, but specialises in doing wedding cakes.
“He told us that he buried his mother – who died from cancer – that day,” the elderly woman said.
“He accidentally locked his keys in his car down the road and needed help to get to Benoni.”
She added that the man was well-mannered and appeared to be very truthful.
“You would take pity on him. I thought he was going to collapse when he told us his story.”
The complainant allegedly lent ‘Marius’ her cellphone to contact his father – which she is not even sure if he really did.
She also mentioned that she lent him R600 of her pension money to get to Benoni by taxi.
“I asked him nicely to please bring back the money and cellphone the following day, to which he agreed. Unfortunately he didn’t [bring it back].
“I just wanted to help; he seemed so sincere.”
The complainant sends out a warning to the community to beware of this man and to not allow any strangers into your yard.
The Boksburg North SAPS communication officer, Capt Juanita Coetzer urges public members to be wary of strangers and not to trust anyone.
“Rather volunteer to phone someone from your own phone yourself and not give them the phone,” Coetzer said.
“The community must not open their gates or doors to any strangers; it does not matter how well dressed they are.
“Criminals can also dress and behave well before committing a crime.”
