RDP housing scams: Social media used to swindle unsuspecting residents

The City of Johannesburg Department of Human Settlements (CoJDoHS) urge residents to guard against the latest RDP housing scams doing the rounds on social media.

Scammers are using popular social media networks such as WhatsApp, Twitter and Facebook to lure unsuspecting victims into paying money for fraudulent housing opportunities.

Here’s what you need to know.

RDP housing scams

In a recent case, a resident was looking for a Wendy house to rent and was contacted by an agent who claimed to from the Department of Housing.

Ongoing scam

The agent said they could provide a low-cost RDP house as per South Africa’s government subsidised housing programme.

The resident was asked to pay R5 000 in order to fast-track the process, but realised it was a scam after several months of back and forth with the ‘agent’.

The incident was reported to the Western Cape department of human settlements, who had already released several statements about the ongoing scams.

Following this, CoJDoHS in Johannesburg said the human settlement departments do not sell RDP houses or stands, and all services provided by the departments are free of charge.

RDP houses not for sale

Imposters and fraudsters who pose as city officials attempt to defraud unsuspecting residents desperate for a housing solution.

The department’s liason team said: “These con artists include people selling non-existent houses or stands, or offer the option to ‘queue jump’ the government’s housing waiting list”.

To be considered for a government housing opportunity, citizens need to be registered on the housing database at their local municipality.

While some residents are aware of how the system works, the mere suggestion of being bumped up on the waiting list prompts them to find the means to pay a requested fee.

How to report RDP housing scams

Authorities are urging the public to be vigilant and report any suspicious activity or scams to the relevant authorities.

CoJDoHS said any suspicious activity in this regard must be reported to 0800 00 25 87 (toll-free), or via SMS on 32840 at R1.50 per message.

Emails can also be sent to anti-corruption@tip-offs.com, or to whistle@joburg.org.za

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