Kleinvlei police have issued a warning about so-called “blessers” after a Blue Downs man was conned out of R2000.
Police spokesperson Captain Florina Muller says a man who owns a funeral services company believed his prayers were answered when he was approached by a random man in December who indicated that he wanted to donate various items including a Toyota Quantum to his business.
She explains the man had “received a prophesy” during a church service about a year ago, where he was told due to divine intervention he would receive a donation to boost his business.
“When this man called the complainant, he thought this was the prophesy coming true.”
The businessman met with the “blesser”, who promised to bless the man’s business and he was told he would be getting various donations. The “blesser” indicated that the business owner would have to take over the insurance payments for the vehicle to be donated to him, and he agreed.
“The suspect told the complainant that he needed R2000 for diesel to have the vehicle brought to Cape Town from Calvinia. So the complainant gave the suspect the cash.”
She says the complainant was told the vehicle allegedly had a registration number which stated “Genade NC”, but when he investigated, he found no vehicle with that registration existed.
Muller says after continuously trying to get hold of the suspect to get his money back, the business owner opened a fraud case at Kleinvlei Police Station on Monday (9 January).
Police are now calling on anyone who has been a victim of a similar scam in the Kleinvlei police precinct to come forward, as they believe this is part of a bigger scam. At this stage it is unclear whether the individual who had “prophesied” and the alleged scamster are linked.
Call Constable Mwaza on 021 902 8500.
