Krugersdorp police are concerned about the increase in fraud cases reported in the area the last few weeks.
Police are warning residents to be wary when making payments into accounts of people claiming to own car dealerships or who are employed at dealerships.
Read: Fake buyer pays with fraudulent cheques
“It came to our attention that suspects are using a new trend to defraud people. Fraudsters go to a reliable car dealership and take a picture of a vehicle parked for display at the dealership. Later the vehicle is advertised on the internet, using the name of the dealership or the suspects create a non-existing name for a car dealership,” Krugersdorp Police spokesperson, Sergeant Tshepiso Mashale, said.
The unsuspecting customers then make contact with the sales person, intending to buy the advertised vehicle.
“The fraudster then provides false information, saying that the vehicle is high in demand and that the potential buyer urgently needs to make a payment if he/ she wants it.”
Potential buyers then deposit the required funds into a bank account only to realise later that the vehicle and the dealership does not exist.
“The second modus operandi differs slightly as the criminal goes to a dealership and then meet customers outside the dealership pretending to be an employee. They even go around the vehicles with the customers, as if they want to help.”
Later the bogus employee will go inside the dealership and pretend to make an affordable deal with the manager.
The fraudsters then come back saying the manager has given the go ahead and a deposit must be made.
When the money is paid into the suspect’s account, the customers go to the dealership to demand their vehicle, only then to realise it was a scam.
“Reputable car dealerships in Krugersdorp are now experiencing problems with this trend and the police would like the community to interrogate all avenues to determine if the seller is not a fraudster before making any deposit. Potential buyers are advised to report anything that they might suspect as criminal activities regarding the selling or buying of vehicles. Remember, any deal that sounds too good to be true, surely is too good to be true.”
Police advises residents to be inquisitive and to safe guard your money in order not to become part of statistics.
“Personally go to a reputable dealer and engage with the sales people inside the offices of the dealership who will guide you in the right direction. Do not throw away hard earned money and rather make inquiries at Mogale City Traffic Department if one is interested in buying a vehicle,” Mashale concluded.
Anyone who has information that can assist in exposing people involved in illegal activities can report it anonymously to Crime Stop Tip off line 08600 10111 or sms Crime line on 32211. Remember to mention who did what to whom, when, where, why and how.
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