A Heideveld woman says she has been scammed out of money by a man claiming to be a warden at Voorberg Prison.
The 46-year-old woman, who requested not to be named, says the conman knew her
personal information.
She explains: “On 23 January, my brother, 37, was sentenced to 18 months in prison for assault with intent to do
grievous bodily harm.
“My brother was at Pollsmoor (Prison) but on Thursday just after 10am, I received a call from a Mr Wessels, who gave me my personal details (ID number, address) and asked me if I knew my brother was transferred to Voorberg Prison (in Porterville).”
The warden claimed that during a scuffle between 28s and 26s prison gangsters, her brother had been scalded with boiling water and stabbed in the lung while sleeping.
“I asked him how my brother was and he told me my
brother could be released on a fine of R710, but it must be paid by 12pm, otherwise he’ll be
transferred to Kimberley
Prison.
“My brother would be brought straight to me and I’d have to sign paperwork.
“I was told to transfer the money at PEP, not Shoprite, he was specific about that, and to use the reference number given as the PIN.
"He said he’d call me when they left the prison,” she says.
An hour and a half passed and when she heard nothing from the warden, she tried calling but her calls went unanswered.
“I got a bad feeling and
asked my son to check this number on his caller ID app on his phone.
"The number was registered to a Gershwin,” she adds.
TRICK: The woman says conman had her information
“I contacted PEP and the money was withdrawn 30 minutes after my deposit at Rylands Village.
“The next day I called Pollsmoor and they said my brother was transferred to Voorberg but was sent back.
“I am concerned about how this person had my personal information.
“How many others is this not happening too either?”
Police did not respond to any Daily Voice queries by the time of publishing.