Beware of online fraudsters

Ivory Park police are warning everyone who is selling items on online platforms to beware of fraudsters doing what they refer to as ‘deposit and refund’ scams after a local man lost his vehicle in the past week.

According to Ivory Park Police Station spokesperson Captain Bernard Matimulane, the victim advertised a car for sale online to which the fraudster, who posed as a potential buyer, approached him and requested to meet so they can complete the sale. The two agreed to meet at Centurion, Pretoria for the transaction.

“While waiting for the buyer to arrive, the victim’s phone reported with a text message that money had been deposited into his account. Shortly after, the suspect (who is unknown) arrived and the seller, unsuspecting, handed over his vehicle and owner registration papers without having verified the SMS. The seller only realised that he had been defrauded after visiting a bank. When trying to reach the buyer on his cell phone, the phone was not working.”

Captain Matimulane said that the scam works as follows, “A criminal will order goods or show interest in something that is being sold, make fraudulent payment to the bank or, alternatively, make error in payment for which a refund is immediately requested.

“By then he is busy coaxing the unsuspecting victim into handing the goods over. By the time the victim becomes aware, his money or property is gone.”

The acting Station Commander of the Ivory Park Police Station, Colonel Baba Mpotoane, advised the sellers and procurers of services to make sure that money, in the case of sellers, is indeed in before anyone parts ways with their property.

“Ascertain with your bank whether the money is in, and make sure that the money is under your control before you hand over your hard-earned belongings to a stranger,” Mpotoane concluded.

Related article:

https://www.citizen.co.za/midrand-reporter/198665/online-fraud-scams-need-know/