It seems the people impersonating Global Energy Management (Gem) employees are targeting pensioners in and around the Roodepoort area.
After the Record was made aware of the impersonator’s modus operandi by an 83-year-old pensioner from Horison, it came to light that this was not an isolated incident. The manager of Gem confirmed that these scammers are not employees of his company, and said he was aware of another incident that happened a few weeks ago.
The councillor for Ward 84, Gert Niemand, has also contacted the Record and informed us that he is aware of two more pensioners that have fallen victim to this scam. He said that it appeared to him that the impersonators are preying on the elderly, as both the victims he has knowledge of were in their 80s. Niemand wants to warn the older residents of the Roodepoort area to be extremely careful of people trying to sell them any products from Gem or any other company they claim is working in conjunction with the City of Johannesburg and City Power.
“A city employee will never ask for any cash. They will refer you to do payment at a walk-in centre where you will be issued with an official receipt.
As soon as anyone asks you for cash upfront it is a sign that they are busy scamming you. I want to urge all residents to be vigilant and to not fall victim to these scams,” said Niemand.
The owner of Gem, Mike Florens, also urges anyone approached by someone claiming to sell products from his company to please contact him on 082 600 7999 or send him an email on mike@gemx.co.za. He will verify whether the person is one of his employees or not.
Do you perhaps have more information pertaining to this story? Email us at roodepoortrecord@caxton.co.za (remember to include your contact details) or phone us on 011 955 1130.
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