Victims lose out in vehicle deposit scam

A vehicle deposit scam in the city has surfaced with at least two residents having become the victims of the scam.

Gerald Maponya said he replied to an advertisement he found at one of the shopping centres.

A man was advertising his 2001 Ford Sierra for sale for R25 000. On contacting the man, who went under the alias of Robert Gericke, he was told that if he paid a R10 000 deposit, he would be able to take the vehicle and pay off the balance in monthly instalments.

“I had been offered a job just outside Polokwane and had to get a vehicle urgently to secure my position,” Maponya explained.

After transferring the money and confirming receipt of the money, Maponya was promised that the vehicle would be delivered to him the next day.

“Two days thereafter, the number I had for Gericke just went over to voice message, which I also couldn’t leave, as the mailbox was already full,” Maponya said.

“Neither the money nor the vehicle could be traced, and I lost my new job as I had no transportation,” he said.

A woman from the city, who did not wish to be identified, told Review a similar story, however this time the man’s alias was Johannes Badenhorst.

Polokwane police spokesperson, WO Lesiba Ramoshaba said it was important for residents to be aware of scam artists.

He said he was aware of one such case being reported and urged victims to contact the nearest police station if they had also been victims, or had information in this regard.