News / Africa
'Miracle doctor' dupes woman of R1 million
31 Aug 2013 at 20:32hrs | Views
Pretoria - Police have cautioned the public against a "miracle doctor" operating in Pretoria North who allegedly conned a woman out of her R1 million pension payout, claiming he could double it.
Pretoria North communications officer Constable Maanda Singo says the suspect goes by the pseudonym of Dr H Muhamad and has people handing out pamphlets about his business.
Services listed on the pamphlet include increasing a person's salary, bringing back lost lovers and solving financial problems.
Singo said one of the complainants went to the suspect to have her money doubled.
"She gave the miracle doctor R10 000 and got back R20 000. As a result she resigned from her job to get her pension," said Singo.
The bank initially refused to pay over the money, saying an appointment needed to be made for such a large withdrawal.
"She made the appointment and went there with the miracle doctor to withdraw the money. It was withdrawn from Nedbank in Pretoria North at the end of July," said Singo.
After the money was withdrawn the woman left with the suspect, who instructed her to put the cash in a suitcase and not to check the suitcase until he called. He dropped her off at her home with the case.
"She got impatient and checked the suitcase before he instructed her to do so and found that there was no money, only paper."
After realising what had happened the woman tried to call the suspect several times, to no avail.
She went to the Pretoria North police and a case of fraud and theft was opened.
Singo said police went to the address from which the suspect had been operating, only to find that he was no longer there.
They also tried to contact the suspect several times, without success.
Singo, the investigating officer, has called on residents to assist police with information so the suspect may be traced. A further two cases believed to be linked to the suspect have been opened this month.
The SAPS obtained a photograph of the suspect, which the complainant identified as the man who allegedly defrauded her.
Singo said the man was in his late 20s and believed to be from Uganda. Anyone with information should call 012 353 5666 or the investigating officer at 012 353 5622.
Pretoria North communications officer Constable Maanda Singo says the suspect goes by the pseudonym of Dr H Muhamad and has people handing out pamphlets about his business.
Services listed on the pamphlet include increasing a person's salary, bringing back lost lovers and solving financial problems.
Singo said one of the complainants went to the suspect to have her money doubled.
"She gave the miracle doctor R10 000 and got back R20 000. As a result she resigned from her job to get her pension," said Singo.
The bank initially refused to pay over the money, saying an appointment needed to be made for such a large withdrawal.
"She made the appointment and went there with the miracle doctor to withdraw the money. It was withdrawn from Nedbank in Pretoria North at the end of July," said Singo.
After the money was withdrawn the woman left with the suspect, who instructed her to put the cash in a suitcase and not to check the suitcase until he called. He dropped her off at her home with the case.
"She got impatient and checked the suitcase before he instructed her to do so and found that there was no money, only paper."
After realising what had happened the woman tried to call the suspect several times, to no avail.
She went to the Pretoria North police and a case of fraud and theft was opened.
Singo said police went to the address from which the suspect had been operating, only to find that he was no longer there.
They also tried to contact the suspect several times, without success.
Singo, the investigating officer, has called on residents to assist police with information so the suspect may be traced. A further two cases believed to be linked to the suspect have been opened this month.
The SAPS obtained a photograph of the suspect, which the complainant identified as the man who allegedly defrauded her.
Singo said the man was in his late 20s and believed to be from Uganda. Anyone with information should call 012 353 5666 or the investigating officer at 012 353 5622.
Source - iol
