This week victims allege the long-haired, English speaking man, who was dressed in black carrying a black helmet, has been buying a wide range of goods. He seems intent on making small purchases so that his victims have to give him change and is in effect, 'laundering' the false money.
"He targets elderly people, who are very trusting and don't examine the money given as payment," said the manager of one of the shops.
George South resident Rudolf van der Westhuizen said he only looked at the two R200 notes after the man had gone (on 8 December 2013), and then noticed that they were false. It was quite an unpleasant shock as his wife is currently in and out of hospital and he has been diagnosed with an incurable, rare lung cancer.
"We are really not in a position to lose money this way." The man, who wore a black shirt and pants, wanted R80 change for the two 'tazers' (self-defence sticks) he bought from Van der Westhuizen. The pensioner and his son-in-law immediately drove up and down Hope Street with the hope of catching him. They then proceeded to the George Police Station where the police constable on duty informed him that the 'police could do nothing' about the complaint. The constable took the money and promised to have it destroyed.
Van der Westhuizen had read last week's report in the George Herald and decided that he wanted to warn others to be on the lookout for the 'lone ranger' and his fake money.
Since the George Herald featured the story of Eleanor Payne being swindled, three victims (including Van der Westhuizen) came forward with similar stories. A photo of the alleged counterfeiter (taken at a shop where a R200 note was used to pay for a purchase) was forwarded to each of the victims who say they are quite positive that it is the same man.
Moira Gibbs, of the The Peoples Dispensary for Sick Animals' (PDSA) charity shop in Wellington Street, said this week, after having read the George Herald report, she suspects that on Wednesday the 'lone ranger' had struck again because when she cashed up she came across two R200 notes and she had laid a complaint with the police.
Captain Bernadine Steyn, Southern Cape Police spokesperson, said the George detective branch has urged victims to come forward and have a case opened. She added, "No criminal charges were laid by Mr Van der Westhuizen, who claimed he did not know who had handed the notes to him and he is advised to speak to the officer in command pertaining to his complaints. It can be confirmed that the R200 notes handed in by Van der Westhuizen were destroyed."
Moira Gibbs, PDSA administartor, holds up two counterfeit R200 notes used to buy goods at their charity shop. Photos: Pauline Lourens
ARTICLE: PAULINE LOURENS, GEORGE HERALD JOURNALIST
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