Following several incidences of fraud linked to online advertisements, the police warn residents about buying items online.
Sgt Kelebogile Trom, the Ikageng police spokesperson, advises potential buyers to be cautious when buying goods online or dealing with people who sell or buy things on online platforms.
In May 2019, Neo Molise, a victim of fraud, says he saw an advertisement for an Audi A3 for R 35,000 on a Facebook Market page.
Neo explains that his colleague noticed him looking at this ad and said he knew where the place was. On Thursday afternoon (16 May 2019), they went to Johannesburg where the car was being sold. Upon their arrival, they met a man (one of the men to be questioned) who informed them that another dealership had already purchased the car they wanted to buy.
Neo wanted to go home but, before they left, the man suggested that they should try and locate the dealership and ask about the car. They went there and the salesperson agreed to sell it to Neo for R40,000. When he said he only had R36,000 with him, the seller agreed to lend him the remaining R 4,000, on condition that he would keep the registration documents until Neo had paid the balance. The buyer believed and trusted the smooth-talker and transferred the money into the dealership’s account.
At around 16:00, they were still waiting for the dealership to deliver the vehicle. When Neo contacted the salesperson, he heard they were two minutes away.
Two hours later, Neo was still waiting and then decided to open a case of fraud.
Another case of fraud was opened after a 41-year-old man paid for a car that never arrived. He saw a Toyota Tazz being advertised for R 19,000 and contacted the seller in Johannesburg. The latter allegedly said he would arrange for the car to be brought to Potchefstroom on 8 January 2020.
The two agreed to meet at the police station and the seller asked the buyer to deposit R500 in his account for fuel. According to Trom, the seller later changed the drop-off point and said his son would deliver the vehicle. He asked the buyer to deposit another R5,000, as proof of his trustworthiness. He later requested another R9,000. Not surprisingly, the seller’s son never showed up and the buyer realised he had just been scammed.
Sgt Trom confirmed that fraud cases were opened after the incidents.
Don’t be scammed when buying/selling things online:
- Do not carry large amounts of money with you.
- Leave immediately if the product advertised is not at the location provided.
- Don’t meet strangers in your home. Instead, meet in public areas like a mall, restaurant parking lot or at a police station.
- Make arrangements to meet during the daytime – avoid meeting at night.
- Never meet strangers alone, take a friend or two along with you and let family or friends know of your plans.
- Always have your cell phone with you.
- If you are robbed, give the perpetrators what they demand – life is more valuable than property.
- Original article: https://potchefstroomherald.co.za/69481/police-warn-public-online-advertisements/
