Two men believed to be conning people into handing over cash thinking they’d get cryptocurrency in exchange are being sought by the police.
In one case, a victim was invited into a Subaru Legacy station wagon parked at New World Chaffers at about 1pm on Tuesday. The victim handed over cash to two people inside the car, then had what was thought to be a gun pointed at them and was ordered to leave before the offenders took off.
In an earlier similar incident at about 5:30pm on February 29, a victim was asked to meet in the underground car park of New World Newlands. The offender arrived in the Subaru then got into the victim's car and took a large amount of cash before driving away in the Subaru.
In both robberies, victims have engaged with a person on the social media platform Discord and arranged to meet in person to exchange cash for cryptocurrency.
Officers have since executed a search at a Strathmore address, recovering the Subaru and an imitation gun.
Now, police want to hear from anyone who may recognise two men pictured.
They also want to hear from anyone else who may be a victim of this crime.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the police on 105, quoting file number 210305/3355. Information can also be provided online at 105.police.govt.nz, clicking "update report".
Alternatively, information can be provided anonymously via Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.
