AN Umbilo woman is urging people to be wary of 'get rich quick' schemes, after losing her life's savings.
The Kenneth Gardens resident, who asked to remain anonymous, said she had worked hard for 32 years, only to lose it all over a few months.
According to the woman, in October 2012 she fell while getting off a bus and had to undergo surgery where surgeons inserted a pin in her calf. In 2013 she was waiting to be medically boarded from work, when she saw an advert in a local newspaper regarding an investment scheme claiming money invested could be doubled.
“I went to the 8th floor of the Salisbury Building in town to find out about this, as I really wanted to surprise my family. My husband had retired from his job and had no pension fund. I have four children and four grandchildren to care for. I thought if I doubled my payout from my job, I'd be able to buy the family a bigger house,” she said.
The woman said she went to see the investors who told her they wanted R50 000 upfront. She explained that she would have to resign from her job to access that amount of money.
“I left my job and was paid out. I gave the money to the man I was dealing with. He took me to see a show house and said I would be able to buy that house for my family when I was done. He then asked for a further R190 000. Soon after, he wanted another R6 000 and the last payment was around R174 000. On the last day, he promised he would give me all the papers and my money, and said I must open an accoun, as there was only one more document outstanding. He went off to get it and never got back to me,” she said.
She said every time she called the man he was away. Eventually, in December 2013 he answered her call and told her he was in Mauritius and needed R7 000 to get back to South Africa. The next time he spoke to her he told her he was in Uganda and needed R3 000, and then told her later he was on his way back to Durban and needed R4 000.
“I lent this money, but I never got anything back. All in all I gave him over R500 000, all the money I had,” she said.
The woman said one of her sons had passed Grade 12 and got a bursary from the Sharks, but she couldn't afford to keep paying the extra money for his fees which were not included in the bursary.
“I'm so disappointed as he couldn't go back. My other son just finished matric and won't be able to study further, even though he wants to be a chartered accountant. I have two other children at school and am battling to pay fees. I sold my washing machine, camera and had to pawn my wedding ring and watch. I sometimes have no money for food. I can still work, I'm fit but I am battling because I can't find work and need to buy food and pay rent. I'm worried about my children's future,” she said.
The woman said she knew of another woman who had been duped by the same men, but fortunately she had not resigned from her job.
“These people more than likely rented the offices and have moved on. They change their name in the paper when they advertise. I called again this year but the number no longer exists. I was scared to go to the police as the men threatened me,” she said.
She said she just wanted the community to be aware of the conmen, and not to get caught as she had.
“It hurts so much that after working shifts, sometimes coming home at 10pm, and waking up at 4am to get transport, I have nothing left, and can't enjoy even a cent of my money,” she said.
