Kwadukuza SAPS is warning people to be vigilant when buying vehicles or other items advertised on social media.
The comes after police noticed an increase in online fraud, where scammers post an advertisement for goods being offered at a reasonable rate, take the money and disappear.
ALSO READ: Warning against Post Office ‘queue marshals
KwaDukuza SAPS communications officer, Priya Nunkumar, said people must be wary of websites offering things that are too good to be true.
‘In some cases, the buyer makes contact on social media with the seller, and once the deal has been confirmed, the buyer makes payment to a fraudulent bank account, the seller withdraws the money, and disappears without a trace,’ she said.
‘To avoid being scammed when buying a vehicle on social media platforms, the buyer must request a police clearance certificate before negotiating.
‘The request for a deposit or an upfront payment should be a red flag, as well as reluctance from the seller to provide more contact information.
‘Potential buyers must always insist on viewing the vehicle physically, but must ensure the meeting venue is safe and secure.’
Nunkumar added that, when buying an item on social media, it’s important to check where the seller lives.
‘If the seller is on a local sales page but does not live near you, that is a red flag.’
She said other signs are when a seller has a lot of friends or just a few with names that sound made-up; or if the post has no identifying personal profile picture.
KwaDukuza SAPS Station Commander, Brigadier SF Mhlongo, advised anyone who suspects they’re dealing with a scammer to notify the police and refrain from any contact with the seller.
‘We urge people to be wary of online scams and research the goods and the buyer before purchasing the items,’ she said.
