Although police cannot confirm it, it is likely, when considering the method, that the same syndicate could be responsible.
“They are then told that they have to pay money to have their vehicles released and to cover the e-toll costs. They have the choice of paying the money into a bank account or meeting the so-called ‘police officials’ to hand over the money,” says Captain Erica Crous from Brackenfell Police Station in a statement to the media.
Crous says their demands are nonsensical as they mostly can’t provide details such as at which border post the car was found and by whom it would be transported back to Cape Town.
“In both the new reported cases the complainants were clever enough not to fall for the scam and they informed us. If you are contacted with such a request, be sure to contact the investigating officer in your case immediately,” she adds. Crous says the investigating officer in the case will always be informed whenever a stolen vehicle is recovered.
“The complainant will be contacted by either the investigating officer or the Vehicle Crime Investigation Unit of the police. No cash payments or payments into bank accounts are involved. A disposal order is issued by the investigating officer, authorising the release of the vehicle to the owner. An amount is to be paid for the police clearance of the vehicle, but that is to be paid in cash at the VCIU where you will be issued with a receipt,” she says.
