Group of bogus KZN cops go on stealing spree

Police in Umlazi, KwaZulu-Natal have warned people in the greater Durban area to beware of police impersonators.

Yesterday police spokesperson Colonel Thembeka Mbhele said there had been several cases in which men pretending to be police officers had robbed people of money.

According to Mbhele, the modus operandi is that a group of people wearing SA Police Service uniforms approach a person that they know is carrying a large amount of money after coming out of the bank.

They say a case of bank robbery has been opened and the amount they claim has been stolen is the exact amount of money that the individual is carrying or has withdrawn, he said.

Mbhele said the group then search the victims, find the money and conduct false arrests.

If anyone is confronted by these men, Mbhele said, people should try and remember as many details as possible, such as the physical characteristics of the police impersonators or their car registration number. – ANA

Community members are urged not to withdraw large amounts of cash.

They should instead transfer the money into the accounts of the individuals or businesses they need to make large deposits to, even to pay bills.

People are advised to ensure that only one person that they trust knows they are withdrawing