Thieves using witchcraft fears in new con

Thieves using witchcraft fears in new con

November 03, 2006 Edition 1

Tricksters are using people's belief in witchcraft to rob them of their possessions in Johannesburg's city centre, police said this week.

A black substance is smeared on the arm of the victim by a passer-by and a "good Samaritan" then approaches them telling them they have been cursed.

"The person who approaches the victim is usually a woman. She then offers to take them to someone to dispel the curse," said Insp Wendy Botha.

The victim is taken to a man who tells them to take out all their valuables and place them in a basket or an envelope.

Wanting to ward off bad fortune brought on by the curse, the victim complies.

He prays for the person to remove the "curse".

The victim is then handed the envelope supposedly containing their possessions and told that they should only open it when they return home.

On opening the envelope, the victim finds it is filled with newspaper.

"These people are playing on the cultural and superstitious beliefs of others to commit crime," said Botha.

Criminals are also using the power of greed to their advantage.

Police warn that what looks like a roll of money is thrown on the ground. The roll is nothing but newspaper with one real banknote on the outside.

On picking up the money, a victim is approached by a woman who suggests sharing the money instead of taking it to police.

She then lures the person to a quiet place where four or five robbers lie in wait.

"Numerous cases have been opened at Johannesburg Central police station with this modus operandi," said Botha. - Sapa