A young entrepreneur was defrauded of his cash while trying to acquire a new vehicle for his business.
Kabelo Sekwati said one of his clients recommended someone who allegedly worked for a reputable car-financing company.
“I was going to use his services because I wasn’t qualifying for bank finance for a new car, but he promised to get me a car even though I had a negative credit score. He asked for a copy of my ID, a copy of my driver’s licence, a bank statement and R2 500 in cash. He promised that after three days I would have my car financed by a financing company,” said Sekwati.
Little did the 28-year-old Mayibuye entrepreneur know he was going to lose even more money to the con artist.
“The first time I met him, I took down his car registration number. I verified with the traffic department and his names corresponded with the names he gave me. I gave him the money after verifying this information.
“The second time he demanded another R2 500, but I gave him R1 000. He claimed the money was for getting a roadworthy certificate for the new car,” Sekwati explained.
The conman had now taken R3 500 from Sekwati, but there was still no vehicle finance.
“When I contacted him, he said I shouldn’t rush, because the car is available at the dealership. He asked for another R2 500, which I transferred, bringing my loss to R6 000.
“After that he kept quiet for a while. When he came back to me, he said the deal was approved and he demanded R1 350 for installing a tracker. He said this included an insurance broker fee.
“I paid the money and from there he started giving me problems,” said Sekwati.
Out of desperation, Sekwati told the con artist that he would get his own car tracker and insurance, despite the con artist having taken R7 350 from him.
“From there he kept quiet for another two weeks. My client who introduced me to him passed on. I then arranged with the con artist to go with him to the family of the deceased, but he failed to show because he knew I would demand my money back.
“I could have used that money for my family. I have a wife and five children and I had to sacrifice by working extra hours to get that vehicle,” Sekwati lamented.
He said he wanted to alert the community to this sort of scam. I tried to trace the accomplice working at the financing company, without success.
“People, before giving your money to anyone, do a thorough background check. Contact the company they claim to be working for. Do not just hand over cash. Keep records of the payments as that will assist you when you open a case with the police,” Sekwati advised.
When such a crime happens to you, make sure you open a case, he added.
Sekwati hasn’t heard from the con artist again.
