Brakpan SAPS warns the community to be on the lookout for scams and scammers, specifically fake car salesmen.
According to the police, cars are advertised at bargain prices on social media and buyers are then required to pay a ‘holding deposit’ for the seller to hold the car.
Lieutenant Colonel Peet van der Schyff warns this is dangerous. “There’s no such thing as a holding deposit,” he said.
Once the payment has been made, the scammers close the account to avoid the money being refunded.
“It is a syndicate of scammers. There’s no such thing as a bargain and people need to see the car or product in person before making any payments,” Van der Schyff said.
The scammers also send fake sale contracts and transfer papers using the corporate ID of real dealerships or people.
It is important to always do a search on the dealership or salesperson in the contract, find their correct number and call to make sure it’s not a scam.
People need to report fraud and scams to their banks and the SAPS immediately when they realise it is a scam.
As soon as the money goes through and the person who has been paid cannot be contacted, call the bank to report fraud to get the money back. Call the police to report the theft and give them as many details of the scammer as you can.
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