Question posted in the Criminal Law category relating to Gauteng
I live in mpumalanga about 3.5 hours from Johannesburg. I was searching escourts and placed a call did not book anytime only asked price . This was 2 weeks ago . I received a call from a police officer saying that they have caught this lady I called with counter fit notes and she says she received it from me ,which is not possible seeing that I didn't meet her or plan to meet her . The police officer says that I will have to attend court unless I meet him and that he is not supposed to have placed this call to me . Also spoke about a warrant for my arrest that was supposed to be issued . Please advice on how to handle this situation. He added that he believes I am innocent and does not want me to sit in jail unnecessarily
I had no intention of going to meet the lady . I have not been to Johannesburg in more than 2 months .
Message from the Lawyer
Hi there and thank you for your question,
I am a practicing attorney based in South Africa and I will assist you with your question. Please feel free to ask as many follow up questions in order to clarify your question. If you have a new question, you must please open a new thread.
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What you have explained above is a SCAM - plain and simple. I've helped about 14 people in the past 3 years with exactly the same story as you. In short, the person who phoned you is NOT from the police. The only reason he is phoning you is to scare you into paying him something. He is working with the woman you contacted. Part of the scam is that he "believes" your story, and wants to meet with you to "help" you out, but the truth of it is that he wants money.
If you want to be a little bit risky, and you're willing to take a chance in calling him bluff, then what you should do is to tell him that you are worried about this and how it will all play out, because you are innocent, and that you want to come down to the police station to speak to him and the investigating officer who has been assigned to the case, and also the Detective or Captain, in order to make a statement. Tell him that you have been advised by your family that you should hire a lawyer to bring him to make the statement with you, and ask him what time you can come to the police station. As soon as he makes up a story that you can't come to the police station, or shouldn't because it is risky for you, THEN you know!
If you do not want to be risky, don't do what I've just said above about meeting the guy. Instead, tell the guy that you believe it is all part of a scam and you won't participate in it, and then block him.
Att. Patrick
Message from the client
I told the previous caller I was from mpumalanga. He says the state prosecutor is going to be issuing a warrent for my arrest unless I make this payment afterwhich he will pull the docket . He is giving me 2 hours. He says I made the call on the 25th of July and he wants to help they have arrested the lady on the 5th August according to him . Facts remain the same she is arrested for a fake 100 note and that she alleges it is my money and she is filing for rape . Is there any chance of this ?
Has there been any case like this in actuality ? Where a person was prosecuted on allegations.
Just set my mind at ease buddy . I don't want to pay out this money . Unless you think I should
Message from the client
Message from the Lawyer
I do NOT think that you must pay out this money.
I think that this Captain is part of the scam. He is attempting to SCARE you into paying him R5k.
This is all a scam. You are like the 40th person who has come to me with this same story.
The prosecutor can't issue a warrant of arrest. Only a Magistrate can. So that's a first lie.
Secondly, if the charges are real then the cops will come arrest you themselves and then you will appear in court. So he is lying to you about how the process works.
If you pay out the R5k, you must realise that these people will never leave you alone. They will come back to you again and again for more and more.
There was no rape. You know that. She knows this. They are making up a bull story to scare you!