A Pensioner's Nightmarish Date: Scammer Strikes In Durban
- An alleged romance scammer is on the run after stealing from a pensioner during their first date in Durban.
- CCTV footage from a Durban North petrol station captured a white Opel Corsa pulling into the forecourt.
- The footage shows the victim preparing to exit the car before her date reportedly sped off with her valuables.
ETHEKWINI — Love can be unpredictable, but for one Durban pensioner, it turned into a harrowing experience. A 66-year-old woman, hoping to find love, instead became the victim of a ruthless scammer during what was supposed to be a romantic first date. The incident unfolded in KwaZulu-Natal, leaving the community in shock.
The story begins with an online romance. The pensioner, after months of chatting with a man she met on a dating site, decided to take things to the next level. What she didn’t know was that her date had ulterior motives. On Wednesday, February 5, 2025, the elderly woman was left stranded after being allegedly robbed by her date.
How It All Went Wrong: The Scam Unveiled
The chilling moment was captured on CCTV at a petrol station in Durban North. The footage, shared on the @_ArriveAlive page on X, shows a white Opel Corsa pulling up at the forecourt. Inside the car, the pensioner sat in the passenger seat, unaware of the betrayal that was about to unfold. As the car stops, she opens the door, preparing to disembark. But before she could step out, the car sped off, leaving her standing alone.
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When Reaction Unit South Africa (RUSA) officers arrived at the scene around 2:22 PM, the woman explained how she had been lured into this trap. She had been chatting with a man on the dating site Badoo for three months, eventually moving their conversations to WhatsApp. The man, who claimed to be a 54-year-old mechanic named Salim, promised her a charming evening. Little did she know, his intentions were far from noble.
The day before the date, the woman confided in Salim that she needed to withdraw her and her 84-year-old mother’s SASSA grants. Seizing the opportunity, he offered to take her to an ATM before their date. He picked her up near her home in Durban South the following day, and the two headed to Galleria Mall in Amazamtoti, where she withdrew the money.
Afterward, Salim suggested a scenic drive to Hazelmere Dam, about 5 kilometers from Verulam and 61 kilometers from the mall. They spent three hours there, enjoying the view and chatting. Eventually, they decided to stop at a petrol station to grab some food. That’s when things took a sinister turn.
Once they arrived at the petrol station, the woman asked to use the restroom. Salim stopped the car in the forecourt, telling her he would park properly. Trusting him, she climbed out and started walking toward the toilets. But as soon as she turned her back, he sped off, leaving her behind.
The pensioner had left her handbag containing R2,000 in cash inside the car. Later, RUSA officers recovered the bag near a casino, but it was empty. Inside the bag were her mother’s ID, ATM cards, and her cellphone—all gone. Authorities obtained the CCTV footage and noted the car’s license plate, vowing to track down the suspect.
Salim is believed to have targeted several other women seeking companionship. A case has been opened, and the search for him is ongoing. Authorities are urging anyone with information to come forward.
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Other Crimes Against the Elderly: A Growing Concern
Two Women Arrested for Robbing an Elderly Man
In a separate but equally disturbing case, two women were arrested in Durban for allegedly robbing an elderly man of his belongings. According to Briefly News, the women were set to appear in court following the robbery, which took place on Friday, November 8, 2024, in Verulam.
One of the women had reportedly met the 73-year-old man on Facebook, arranging to visit him with her accomplice. What seemed like a friendly visit quickly turned into a crime scene. The growing number of such incidents highlights the vulnerability of the elderly and the need for increased awareness and protection.
As these cases continue to emerge, it’s a stark reminder of the dangers lurking in the world of online dating and the importance of exercising caution. For many, love remains a powerful force, but as this pensioner’s story shows, it can also lead to heartbreak—and far worse.
