Port Elizabeth police have arrested two foreign nationals and a South African woman and seized more than R1m allegedly stolen from people in a suspected scam.
Police spokesperson, Captain Sandra Janse Van Rensburg, said the swift response from SAPS members from Humewood to a complaint of a suspeted business robbery resulted in the arrest of the three suspects.
She said according to the responding officers, the complainant of a business in Glen Street Central activated the panic alarm when she became suspicious of the three suspects. The suspects were confronted and further inquiries led the officers to search their vehicle.
A suitcase packed with a large amount of cash was found in the vehicle.
The suspects were taken to Humewood police station for further questioning. The assistance of a bank official was sought for counting the money and over R1m was confiscated.
“It is further alleged that these suspects are part of a syndicate operating in the East London area. Three other suspects are already in custody in East London for allegedly defrauding a pensioner of over R800 000,” Janse Van Rensburg.
She said the suspects will appear in the Port Elizabeth magistrate court on Monday on a charge of possession of suspected stolen property.
“Police would like to warn the elderly not be naïve and trust strangers with their money. These con artists are experts in their trade and are very convincing,” she said
Janse Van Rensburtg said “investments of pension money should be done through reputable banking or investment institutions. Investigators will be working closely with their colleagues from East London during the investigations”
(Images:Supplied)
