Con-man targets charitable motorists
Con artist preys on motorists' emotions for 'money for fuel'.
The Honeydew CPF is responsible for exposing a con-artist in the area.
The CPF’s public relations officer, Jon Rosenberg, said the CPF is aware of a man who parks his car, a white Ford Fiesta, on the side of the road and waves down motorists, with an excuse that he has run out of fuel and needs money to fill up his car. However, the ploy is only a con to get money out of kind motorists.
Two CPF members recently found the con-artist on Jim Fouché Road near the Allen’s Nek Sasol Garage and asked him to start his car. Unsurprisingly, the car started without difficulty. The man has also been seen pulling the same stunt near the Hillfox Power Centre. The CPF warned the man that if he is seen in the area again, the police would be called to escort him out of the area.
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Rosenberg said there could be many versions of the same type of scam. He knows of a woman who attempted the same fuel scam in the area a while ago, and of a con-artist who would ask for money for nappies and baby formula outside Palm Court Shopping Centre.
“They normally play on your emotions and that is how you get caught. To avoid falling into the trap, you just must not give, full stop. I know it can be difficult but if you want to give, rather donate to a charity,” he said.
A similar con, which involved two men and a white VW Golf, was played out on General Pienaar Avenue in Witpoortjie earlier this year. These culprits targeted several streets, including, Mimosa Street, Golf Club Terrace, Mouton Road, Blueberry Road, Luipaard Street, Crous Street, Kingfisher Street, Robert Broom Drive and the corner of Ouklip and Wilgerood Roads.
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