Police have warned residents about the dangers of online dating scams in Kempton Park, amid concerns that some encounters may be linked to robbery and assault.
Senior police officers visited the area as investigations continue into the separate discoveries of four women’s bodies over a two-month period.
The area where the bodies were found is also close to where runner Elizabeth “Tsontso” Moselakgomo went missing.
Police say a suspect is already in custody in connection with the first woman’s body discovered in the area.
National police spokesperson Athlenda Mathe says investigators are considering various possibilities, but there is currently no indication that Moselakgomo’s disappearance is linked to online dating.
However, police are investigating whether two unidentified bodies could be connected to incidents involving online dating.
“We’re looking at all possibilities, but with the missing runner it doesn’t look like it’s part of the online dating,” Mathe said.
She said police had recorded a growing number of cases involving people who met through social media and later reported being robbed or assaulted.
“In the last four months, about 10 cases were opened; women are turning up saying we met this person online, on the social media platforms, we met, he robbed me, or either he raped me,” Mathe said.
Police are urging people to exercise caution when meeting individuals they have met online and to remain alert to potential risks.
Mathe stressed that both women and men can fall victim to online dating-related crimes.
“It is quite a concern, and that’s why we need to then sensitise young women; it could be men as well; anyone can be a victim,” she said.
Investigations into the deaths and Moselakgomo’s disappearance are continuing, with police examining all possible leads.