Con artist arrested in Effingham Heights
Greenwood Park SAPS was alerted, and the suspect was promptly transported to the police station for further processing.
A SHARP-MINDED property owner in Effingham Heights escaped being scammed into selling his property to con artists posing to be owners of an estate agency and to an attorney.
The resident alerted Swift Private Security last Friday to report the scam which prompted an investigation into the matter.
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“A resident raised concerns about a fake estate agency attempting to sell their vacant property, prompting an investigation. Upon inspection, both the original owners and potential buyers uncovered a deceptive scheme involving a fake couple posing as owners and others impersonating an estate agency and attorney,” said Swift Private Security spokesperson Sanveer Sooklall.
The con artist’s modus operandi was to advertise the property on Facebook, organise meetings with potential buyers and propose a cash-only transaction.
“During the meeting at the property, the potential buyers contacted Swift Private Security. While officers were on the scene, the buyers observed the fake agent driving past and not stopping at the house where their appointment was about to take place,” said Sooklall.
Multiple Swift Private Security officers pursued and apprehended the suspect who had multiple IDs, birth certificates, death certificates and other incriminating items in their possession.
“Another resident passing by informed the officers that the suspect had attempted a similar scam in the Newlands area,” he added.
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