VREDENBURG – The South African Police Service (Saps) has warned local businesses to be on alert after an unknown man allegedly posed as a Vredenburg police officer to solicit blanket donations.

According to Vredenburg police, the suspect has been contacting businesses in the area while falsely identifying himself as “Capt Moodley” from Vredenburg police and requesting donations of blankets.

Police confirmed that there is no member by that name stationed at Vredenburg police and warned that the individual is fraudulently using the Saps name to obtain goods.

One business has already been approached by the suspect.

The cellphone number allegedly used by the individual is 060 897 6985.

Capt. Tania Helfrich, spokesperson for the West Coast District Police, said police will never send out requests of this nature to solicit donations from businesses or members of the public.

She urged the public not to fall victim to the scam and to verify any requests claiming to be from police before responding. Anyone who receives a similar call or message is encouraged to report it to Vredenburg police immediately.