Losing one’s money can frustrating. However when an individual finds out that they have been scammed out of their money this feeling can be aggravated.
For two Edenvale residents, Jillianne Viljoen and Glen Hahn, who have been scammed out of a large amount of money within the last few months, the feeling of frustration is well known.
The residents, who have lived together for the past 25 years, lost over R100 000 when they were informed that they had been awarded money.
Mrs Jillianne Viljoen was first notified by a “bank” in Scotland of her winnings last year in 2015. Initially she was wary, uncertain and did not believe it.
“However earlier this year in April the “bank” managed to make me believe that it was legitimate,” she said.
Mrs Viljoen said that she had wanted to surprise her partner, Mr Hahn, with the winnings that amounted to 2 million Pounds (GBP) which at the time converted to 32 million Rand (ZAR).
In order to get this money Mrs Viljoen was told she had to make payments to the “bank” and multiple payments were made to it before she received a notification on May 17 that the money had been transferred into her account.
However, on the same day the money was removed. When questioned, the ‘bank’ stated that another amount had to be paid by Mrs Viljoen for “tax clearance purposes” and then she would get her money.
Once that had been done, Mrs Viljoen received a bank card via courier from the “bank” which she was told could be used to withdraw money from an ATM and swiped at stores.
In the paperwork from the “bank” it stated that there was a daily limit of 5 000 GBP and a monthly limit of 1 000 000 GBP. She was told that the card was directly linked to her winnings.
It was discovered by Mrs Viljoen that the card only had R400 on it.
Mr Hahn phoned the company regularly and as a result his cellphone SIM card was cloned.
He said he gets calls from other individuals looking for their money.
“It looked real,” said Mr Hahn. “I don’t want other people to be scammed,” he added.
According to Edenvale SAPS communications officer, Warrant Officer Jean Olckers a case of theft under false pretences has been opened at the station.
“It will be a long investigation that will be time consuming, depending on the information at the police’s disposal.
“It can happen to anyone: the syndicates are highly skilled and they know how to lure people in,” said W/O Olckers.
He said that the syndicates select their victims very carefully.
“Once they have taken the money they try cover their tracks,” said W/O Olckers.
So far, for this year this has been the first case of its kind opened at the Edenvale SAPS, said W/O Olckers.
“Members of the public need to confirm and verify anything they receive,” he said.
