A 66-year-old woman was left stranded and robbed after meeting a man for their first date on Wednesday afternoon in Durban.
The incident occurred at a service station in the northern part of the city, where members of Reaction Unit South Africa (RUSA) were called to assist her at around 2:22 PM.
Chatting Online for Months
The woman told RUSA officers that she had been talking to the man for about three months via the dating site Badoo.
Their online chats eventually moved to WhatsApp after exchanging phone numbers.
The man, who identified himself as Salim, a 54-year-old mechanic from Pinetown, KwaZulu-Natal, seemed to be friendly and trustworthy.
During their most recent conversation, she shared that she needed to withdraw her SASSA Old-Age Grant for both herself and her 84-year-old mother.
Salim offered to drive her to an ATM before their planned first date.
ATM Visit and the Journey to Hazelmere Dam
Salim picked her up near her home in South Durban, driving a white Opel Corsa.
They went to Galleria Mall in Amanzimtoti, where she withdrew the grants.
Afterward, Salim suggested they visit Hazelmere Dam, a recreational spot around 61 kilometers away.
The two spent around three hours at the dam before deciding to buy a meal at a service station.
Robbed While Freshening Up
After arriving at the service station, the woman informed Salim that she needed to freshen up before having their meal.
He stopped the car at the forecourt, telling her he would park the vehicle while she went to the bathrooms.
However, as soon as she exited the car, Salim drove off, leaving her without her belongings.
Her handbag, which contained R2,000 in cash, her mother’s ID, ATM cards, and her cellphone, was left behind in the vehicle.
Handbag Found, But Suspect Still on the Run
The handbag was later recovered near a local casino, but the suspect remains at large.
Reaction Officers retrieved CCTV footage from the service station, which helped them identify the car’s registration number.
They believe Salim may have scammed several other women seeking companionship through online platforms.
RUSA is currently tracking the suspect, and the victim has opened a criminal case in connection with the incident.
This article was published on TDPel Media. Thanks for reading!
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