Businessman flees with borrowed vehicle
Richards Bay resident ripped off in shady car sale deal
A RICHARDS Bay man who fell victim to a car sale scam was conned out of R18 500 as well his newly purchased vehicle.
Anthony Boucher had bought a motor vehicle from local businessman Neville Jayabalan in a private sale deal in November last year.
He had responded to an advert on the internet and purchased the Hyundai Getz for R73 000.
He paid a R10 000 cash deposit and agreed to pay installments of R3 000.
A month later Jayabalan contacted him and asked if he can borrow the vehicle for the afternoon and would return it.
Anthony agreed and has not seen his vehicle since.
‘We met at Neville’s residence in Brackenham and he told me he bought the Getz from his uncle; it was still registered on his name but asked if I would not tell anyone about the deal.
‘I agreed to his terms and we signed a purchase agreement and sealed the deal.
‘I paid the November and December installments as well as spending R2 500 for tyres and brake repairs.
‘My wife and I were reluctant to lend him the vehicle but he convinced us that he just wanted to have it in the yard when his uncle came to visit because he had not told him about the sale.
‘He said he would return it but we have not been able to contact him as his phone is off and his wife says she does not know his whereabouts,’ said Boucher.
After having tried to open a criminal case, police at the Richards Bay Police Station informed him it was a civil matter and he must go to court.
Out of desperation, he launched his own search on social media and has received endless calls from others who fell victim to his scams.
Boucher has since discovered the vehicle was not Jayabalan’s uncle’s but was bought from a friend and he was still paying it off when it was sold unlawfully.
