Cape Town - A Con artist who posed as a traffic cop to cheat people out of their cash has been arrested.
The City’s Special Investigation Unit (SIU) nabbed the 60-year-old Mitchells Plain resident on Friday – after a six-year investigation.
The scamster pretended to be a traffic officer who could squash outstanding fines, but then pocketed the money himself.
It is believed the man conned about 12 people out of more than R6000.
After two people laid charges, police have now called on other victims to come forward.
Officials hope the public can assist them if they’ve had dealings with the man, pictured.
The alleged con artist, who is currently being held at the Grassy Park Police Station, is expected to appear in court today on a charge of theft under false pretences.
JP Smith, Mayoral Committee member for Safety and Security, say they’ve been hot on his heels for about six years already.
BUSTED
But the net closed on Friday after the SIU tracked him down in Mitchell’s Plain for an outstanding warrant.
Smith said: “Residents had reported a traffic fine scam to the City, prompting an investigation. The suspect would approach members of the public who had outstanding traffic fines, claiming that they could make payment for the fines to him and would then receive a receipt.
“He never produced these receipts and residents realised they had been conned when they started receiving warrants for fines they thought had been paid.”
Smith added that the man has spent time behind bars before and hopes he will be given a hefty sentence before he cons more people.
“He was inside prison for a prior offence of the same type of crime but as soon as he came out it was business as usual,” he adds.
Daily Voice