A bogus Walter is giving the real Walter a bad name!
Sunday Sun understands this con man has been masquerading as Walter – and swindling players, coaches and officials out of their money.
Sources close to the situation said the false Walter has been phoning soccer players from different teams offering them deals.
Speaking to Sunday Sun, Walter said the con man has been up to his dirty tricks since last year.
“This guy has the players and coaches’ numbers. He offers them shady deals under my name. He’d tell a player a club wants to offer him a contract – then he’d ask the same player to deposit cash into his account.
“Some players have done that,” said Walter.
He went on: “The guy has my picture on his WhatsApp and pretends to be me.
“A few days ago I got a call from Shaun Bartlett, who asked me why was I destabilising his team by offering them deals. He said he heard I’ve been giving players deals in exchange for cash. You can imagine how he felt, as his team is trying to avoid relegation.”
Walter said Mpumalanga Black Aces defender Vincent Kobola also called him saying he’s been waiting for payment.
Allegedly, Kobola gave the fake Walter cash for flights.
“Imagine going to sports functions and bumping into people who accuse you of asking money from players. This man is really denting my image in the soccer fraternity. It’s heartbreaking,” he said.
Some sources claimed the con man is a well-known person who has worked as a team official and in the media industry.
Walter’s lawyer, Maurizio Marion, said: “We opened a case a while ago. I’m sure police are now investigating. Walter provided police with a Capitec account. So this conman approaches soccer players, coaches and club owners to try and con them.”
Sandton cops confirmed a case of fraud was opened in January and are investigating.
Both Bartlett and Kobola couldn’t be reached for comment as they were in camp for final PSL games yesterday.
