Some of South Africa’s biggest banks have warned consumers about a rise in fake car deals as criminals get more sophisticated in trying to con you out of your hard-earned cash.
Sameer Kumandan, managing director of SearchWorks, says criminals are targeting South Africans who turn to the internet to make their lives easier – especially for things like researching long-term financial commitments such as buying a car.
Fake vehicle adverts have become relatively sophisticated as of late, usually even including photos to match the vehicle description with contact details of the so-called seller.
If you’re not aware that you might be walking into a potential trap, it can be easy to become a victim of a fake car deal.
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Speaking to eNCA, Kumandan said most people fall victim to these scams because criminals often sell the vehicles way below market value, leading to potential buyers thinking they are getting a bargain. He warns that if a deal sounds too good to be true, it usually is.
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