“The police have been receiving cases of fraud from online advertising that originates from around Pretoria,” the Carletonville police’s communications officer, WO Peter Masooa, said on Monday.
He says the complainants are all from Pretoria. They told the police they had seen an online advertisement for a vehicle at 84 Annan Road in Carletonville.
“When the complainants phoned the seller, they were told to put down a deposit as the car was due to be auctioned,” says Masooa. The complainants then paid a deposit into a Capitec Bank account but, when they phoned back to confirm the deposit, the voice message said the number did not exist. There is also no business or individual selling vehicles at the listed address. According to Masooa, the vehicle was advertised for sale on online marketplaces like OLX.
“We advise the community not to risk losing their money by rushing to secure a deal. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Always visit the dealer and verify the registration and ownership of the property before paying over any money. The phone number and address are not enough proof to make you pay,” says the acting station commander, Col Morebodi.