'Casino ritual' fraud case postponed

2012-12-04 19:30

Johannesburg - The fraud case against a woman accused of stealing cash and jewellery from casino patrons while performing luck rituals has been postponed by the Durban Commercial Crimes Court, KwaZulu-Natal police say.

Spokesperson Jay Naicker said the case was postponed until next Monday.

The woman, who cannot be named until an identity parade has been carried out, faced three counts of fraud, he said.

"It is alleged that the woman would approach her potential victims at local casinos and con them into believing that she can turn their luck around by performing bizarre rituals employed by most con artists."
It was believed that she would also approach gamblers, telling them she could introduce them to a psychic who would improve their chances of winning.

Naicker said that in one case, a casino patron was robbed of cash and jewellery valued at more than R1m.

It appeared that the woman may have been using the same modus operandi for over a year.

"We believe that there are more victims out there that might have been too embarrassed to come forward previously," Naicker said.

He encouraged them to contact the Durban Commercial Crimes Unit.

"We once again repeat our call for people not to fall victim to such silly get-rich schemes."

- SAPA