News / Local
Bogus 'eye cancer specialist' appeals for financial assistance
06 Apr 2013 at 04:57hrs | Views
A MAN suspected to be a conman is on the loose in Bulawayo, moving around claiming to be a "eye cancer specialist" and appealing for financial assistance for his patients.
The suspected conman who is misrepresenting himself as a doctor to his would be victims hands them a letter bearing two "unknown" qualifications attained in the United Kingdom and South Africa, appealing for assistance.
According to a source close to one victim, the alleged conman prefers the "donation" in cash and leaves no further correspondence after receiving it.
The letter, which Chronicle is in possession of bears a Malindela suburb address, Suit 9 Second Floor, Burns Drive, Ascot, Box 2133 and is from one Dr E Mavros.
It reads: "This patient has completed the first treatment at Heleins Joseph Hospital which was done for Inner Lens prostate cancer which affected his right eye. He needs to undergo another chemotherapy and radio therapy in order to replace the artificial eye since it is totally naked.
"Second treatment is necessary since the eye shows cancerous growth which can cause the head to skull disturbance. This process needs $4 300 for the process to be done," reads the letter.
Underneath the two paragraphs of the letter there is a quotation which breaks costs for a "cancer drug (liquid) which is $600, an anesthetic fee for $360 and radiotherapy for $3 340."
A check by Chronicle, however, indicated that there is no disease such as Inner Lens prostate cancer, and in the event that a cancer patient develops a cancerous growth in the eye, it is removed and if the infection recurs, the artificial eye would be simply replaced.
A further check revealed that there is no such address in Malindela, as the only multi storey building in that area is Mater Dei Hospital.
"Replacing a cancerous eye is one of the easiest medical procedures in this field and an artificial eye should cost about $100," said an eye specialist.
He said he had never met a Dr Mavros.
Bulawayo provincial spokesperson, Inspector Mandlenkosi Moyo said members of the public should be on the lookout for con artists who masquerade at times as professionals to fleece them of their hard earned cash.
"Before falling to their representations, one must verify their credentials and report any suspicious individuals to the police," said Insp Moyo.
The suspected conman who is misrepresenting himself as a doctor to his would be victims hands them a letter bearing two "unknown" qualifications attained in the United Kingdom and South Africa, appealing for assistance.
According to a source close to one victim, the alleged conman prefers the "donation" in cash and leaves no further correspondence after receiving it.
The letter, which Chronicle is in possession of bears a Malindela suburb address, Suit 9 Second Floor, Burns Drive, Ascot, Box 2133 and is from one Dr E Mavros.
It reads: "This patient has completed the first treatment at Heleins Joseph Hospital which was done for Inner Lens prostate cancer which affected his right eye. He needs to undergo another chemotherapy and radio therapy in order to replace the artificial eye since it is totally naked.
"Second treatment is necessary since the eye shows cancerous growth which can cause the head to skull disturbance. This process needs $4 300 for the process to be done," reads the letter.
A check by Chronicle, however, indicated that there is no disease such as Inner Lens prostate cancer, and in the event that a cancer patient develops a cancerous growth in the eye, it is removed and if the infection recurs, the artificial eye would be simply replaced.
A further check revealed that there is no such address in Malindela, as the only multi storey building in that area is Mater Dei Hospital.
"Replacing a cancerous eye is one of the easiest medical procedures in this field and an artificial eye should cost about $100," said an eye specialist.
He said he had never met a Dr Mavros.
Bulawayo provincial spokesperson, Inspector Mandlenkosi Moyo said members of the public should be on the lookout for con artists who masquerade at times as professionals to fleece them of their hard earned cash.
"Before falling to their representations, one must verify their credentials and report any suspicious individuals to the police," said Insp Moyo.
Source - TC
