City of Joburg warns of ongoing housing scams
Housing backlog opens illicit doors for scammers.
The Executive Mayor of City of Joburg, Clr Mpho Phalatse and Mayoral Committee (MMC) Clr Mlungisi Mabaso briefed the media regarding the ongoing housing scams which are targeting vulnerable and destitute citizens.
Phalatse said: “The Joburg Department of Human Settlements has been inundated with walk-ins and calls from victims who have lost their hard-earned money to scammers using different fake social media accounts, images, and the name of the MMC for Human Settlements, Clr Mlungisi Mabaso, and the department’s name to offer credibility to their fraudulent endeavours.
“These fraudsters have even registered cellphone numbers in the MMC’s name which they use to extort money from vulnerable Joburg residents seeking housing,” said Phalatse.
She continued saying that the scammers usually use social media platforms, particularly Facebook, WhatsApp, and Twitter to lure their victims, as it offers a sense of anonymity.
Joburg-based residents who are in dire need of housing are often targeted by the perpetrators.
Victims have reported that they pay R3 000 and R20 000 to secure housing for them. The city has a housing backlog of 460 000, the mayor said.
Please be aware of the scammers and ignore the attached email addressed mabaso.joburg@gmail.com.
MMC Mlungisi Baso said they do not use a Gmail account as a work email.
