Moneysnake scammers arrested

2003-03-15 22:21

Durban - Three men will appear in the Durban Magistrate's Court on Monday in connection with a scam in which they allegedly used snakes to con people out of substantial sums of money, police said.

Superintendent Vishnu Naidoo said on Saturday the men persuaded people that the snakes, a Burmese python and an African Sand Snake, were magic and could change ordinary pieces of paper into bank notes.

Naidoo, describing how the scam worked, said: "A piece of paper is burnt inside a black box and when the box is opened a R50 or a R100 or a R200 note is found. This is given to the victim who is then encouraged to return with his own money which the snakes would double or even triple."

The victim's real money was pocketed and they were paid out in counterfeit money, Naidoo said.

When the men were arrested R120 000 in counterfeit notes, R50 000 in legitimate currency, three cellphones and the two snakes were seized.

Naidoo said people had been scammed for amounts ranging from R600 to R10 000.

He appealed to anyone who had been caught by this scam to contact the investigating officer, Detective Inspector Lucky Nzama on 082 4237 512.

- SAPA