Midrand police encourage residents to be wary of online sale scams
MIDRAND – Be wary of online sales that are just criminals trying to rob or scam you, warn Midrand police after a recent incident in Kyalami.
Midrand police urged the public to be wary of online scams and criminals posing as sellers.
The Fourways Review recently wrote about a case of fraud which was reported to the Midrand Police Station at the beginning of April. According to the complainant, he saw a white Corolla advertised on a popular sales website. He contacted the seller and made a first payment towards the vehicle, but when he was asked to remake the payment he became suspicious, investigated the ad and discovered the sale was a scam (Online sale a scam, Week ending 19 April).
The Midrand police have received multiple reports which are similar and are urging residents to treat online sales with care.
“We are still experiencing fraud cases wher people see adverts online for rentals or cars for sale. These are [sometimes] fraudulent and people have been robbed of their money by these syndicates,” said Constable Thabiso Selowa of the Midrand Police Station.
She urged buyers to be cautious when buying or selling items online and take precautions against being scammed or robbed when making a purchase.
“If you see a vehicle advertised, both the buyer and seller must go to their nearest police station instead of meeting at a garage or shopping centre, where they could end up hijacking your vehicle.”
“The police can also check the vehicle record and you can finalise your agreement at the station.”
The public is also advised to use trusted websites, not share personal information and to be wary of deals which seem to good to be true.
Details: Midrand Police Station 011 347 1626.
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