Don’t fall victim to apartment scams

BEREA police are once again appealing to desperate apartment seekers to be especially careful when looking for accommodation after a Westville man became the latest victim of an apartment scam in Musgrave.

John Nxele, who works in the security and VIP protection industry, told Berea Mail how his desperation to find accommodation closer to his job in the Durban CBD made him an easy target for an apartment scam.

“I was looking for a flat in Durban so checked on OLX and I found a nice flat in Musgrave. I called the number and a lady who said her name was Cindy Carey said I must make a payment of R1000 at Shoprite Checkers in order for her to secure the flat for me,” Nxele said.

Nxele said he initially tried to get accommodation from another advert but was afraid he might be scammed because the man who answered the call gave the same story. “It was the same story but a different flat. The man said I had to come on the day I called him to pay and secure a flat because his wife was pressurising him to get the money, I couldn’t get the money so left it.

“When Cindy told me about the flat I was I was worried initially and wanted to check that it wasn’t a fake address, so I went to look at the flat in Povall Road but could not go in because she had given me the wrong name. She asked me about my working schedule and when I told her I worked night shift she said she was only available at night to show me the place and worked far away in Pinetown so could not come during the day. She said someone else was very interested and coming that evening to see the flat so I had to pay the deposit immediately for her to keep it for me, so I paid the R1000.”

Nxele was about to call someone to fetch his belongings and take it to the flat and then tried calling Cindy to check if she would open for him but realised it was a scam after her phone went straight to voicemail.

“It is very hard to get a flat in this area, I’m still looking for a place even now, and my money is gone. I called her many times after and the phone goes straight to voicemail. I work with the community protecting them and I feel bad because I got scammed. I would be happy if I could expose these people who prey on innocent people that are desperate for accommodation in the city,” he said.

Lieutenant PN Naidoo of Berea SAPS said many reports of people losing money to apartment scams had come to his attention in recent weeks. “One must be very careful when using Gumtree and OLX to find accommodation as we have found many people preying on those desperate for accommodation in the area. Don’t part with money until you have seen the place and have legitimate documents,” he added.