The recent spate of copper pipe and water meter thefts reminds us that crimes seem to occur in cycles. In the interests of community safety and awareness, DPVwatch is alerting everyone to the following people or scam schemes that have been noted in the area within the last year and who have conned residents:
- Eric / William. He has other aliases. He is a very convincing, neat, well-dressed and well-spoken gentleman in his 30s. He approaches residents saying he has been cutting foliage at the home next door and needs to check that all the branches in your garden have been pruned or that the pruning has not damaged your gutters. After you give him access to your property, he proceeds to make off with your items.
- A group of people who have been dubbed “The Kumars”. They have an older model car that seems to have broken down / run out of fuel. They approach residents to ask for financial assistance and can become belligerent when help is refused. They have been noted to operate all over the Peninsula (Hout Bay, City Bowl, Claremont…).
- The Pavement Tar Scamsters! These people caused many headaches during 2025 by claiming to be able to fix damaged pavements for residents, taking advance payment for the work and then leaving a mess as well as with the money. Many residents lost their hard-earned money in this way.
- Please be alert that scamsters are operating in Upper Orange Street. Recently, an elderly gentleman had his credit cards stolen near the Bowling Club.
This is the Modus Operandi:
– You are approached and stopped because the President is passing / in the area and you therefore need to pay in order to continue.
– You are shown a device into which you have to insert your credit / bank card and key in your PIN.
– Once you have the card in place and have keyed in your PIN, the card is grabbed and the people run away, leaving you with a severely compromised bank account.
WHAT SHOULD YOU DO?
- Be alert and educated about scams;
- Never insert your bank card or key in your PIN;
- Report any such attempts to scam you immediately to your Neighbourhood Watch.
- Warn family members and friends – especially the elderly or tourists.
Please be alert and aware.
