The City of Ekurhuleni warns residents not to fall for a title deeds scam that has emerged in the region.
About eight cases have been reported since November. The cases are currently being investigated by the city’s internal investigators and have also been reported to the police, said metro spokesperson Themba Gadebe.
Scammers are targeting desperate people who need land and/or title deeds.
“In one incident, a victim was made to pay about R80 000 in a purported sale of land belonging to the city. A fake title deed was issued to the victim.
“The scammers also target residents who are waiting for title deeds to their houses by charging them about R1 600 to issue, unbeknown to the victims, fake title deeds,” Gadebe said.
Residents are warned that title deeds for low-cost housing and other government-provided houses are not for sale and are issued and handed over free of charge.
Residents who have fallen victim to this scam are urged to report these to the police or to the city through its Anti-Fraud Hotline
080 010 2201.
Those who are yet to get their title deeds are advised to constantly inquire at their nearest Ekurhuleni Customer Care Centre.
