Victim Yolande de Beer has exposed a residential unit scam allegedly run by someone calling himself Kabelo Albert Mogale, at Katara, a residential complex on the corner of Lever and George roads in Midrand.
De Beer and her husband were looking for accommodation in the Midrand area when they were allegedly scammed by Mogale, who apparently advertised a unit of which he claimed was in the Katara complex, on the popular website OLX.
According to the De Beers, the unit was to be rented for R5 000, which she said seemed too good to be true because it was a two bedroom, two bathroom unit. The victim alleged that she paid R2 500 to reserve the unit on the evening of 10 November through a Spar Money Market voucher.
Two security guards of CKN Security operating at Katara, did confirm that numerous people arrived at the complex on 11 and 12 November looking for unit 1G. The security personnel said the unit did not even exist.
“I was sceptical at first because of the rent price but after I asked him to send me a copy of his ID –which he did – I assumed it was legitimate, but now I don’t even think he sent me his real ID,” said De Beer.
She alleged that she had been in communication with Mogale prior to realising it was a scam and the two even had a 12-noon appointment for 12 November. Apparently, Mogale did not show up and also stopped answering calls.
De Beer was allegedly informed by the security guards that the whole matter was a scam. She has warned the community not to pay any amount for a property they have not viewed, so as to avoid falling victim to scammers.
When the Midrand Reporter contacted the managing agent for Katara, Benedict Mkoketsi, he said he was unaware of the issue. He promised to alert all agencies operating in the complex as well as look into the issue and see how such incidences can be avoided in the future.
No case was opened with the police and Mogale could not be reached for comment.
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