Beware of Cape cheats

SMOOTH-talking serial bilkers are leaving a trail of hapless hoteliers and guest house operators fuming, prompting the Cape travel industry to warn of an increase in guests who leave without paying. One alleged conman, whose name is known to Travel Now, is a former journalist in the Cape and has produced what he claims is a current press indentification card to his victims at a string of hotels and guest houses in the Sea Point and Southern Suburbs areas, running up bills that remain unpaid. Three weeks ago the tall middle-aged man with glasses stayed at the Little Scotia guest house in Rondebosch. Manager Nikki du Plooy was suspicious after he flashed his ID card, and insisted on cash up front. But next morning he allegedly left with the room key and his substantial telephone bill was unpaid. "Last month another guest stole a television but we just don't know how he got it out," said Du Plooy. He also took his room key. "It is very expensive to change locks," she complained. A spokesperson at the Cape Gardens Hotel also said the same man tried to leave without paying, but he eventually paid through a third party. Formule One hotels said they have banned him because of undisclosed incidents. Four other city hotels said they have had similar experiences. Cape Town Tourism manager, Sheryl Ozinsky, confirmed that an increase in complaints of bilking in recent months had alarmed CTT members. "Somebody in the industry should do an investigation to expose how easy it is to leave hotels without paying. This might alert managers to the problem," she said. Chairman of the 200-member Guest House Association of South Africa, Fred Kop, warned hoteliers not to be embarrassed about demanding deposits. "It's business. Because of this problem we recently changed our code of conduct to advise members to make absolutely clear their policy. We suggest a fifty percent deposit on booking and the balance as they check in is fair." Captain Rod Beer of Cape Town police said bilking is fraud. He advises victims to call the local police, but urged caution about making a citizen's arrest or confronting the perpetrators. He added many hotels have cctv but that often cameras were badly placed or poor quality. "We need a good description." Most victims don't bother calling police because of the often small amounts involved and the hassle of police bureaucracy. "But we'll never catch them if victims don't report it," said Captain Beer. (Simon Farrell)