Soshanguve police have warned people wanting to buy a Toyota Quantum online to be vigilant against a syndicate operating from the Rietgat policing precinct after several cases where victims were scammed, have been reported.

Captain Stephen Maluleka, Rietgat police spokesperson, said it seems the gang operates from taverns in Block HH and P in Soshanguve.

“On February 22, around 14:00, a man received a call from his brother in Cape Town who told him he saw a Quantum advertised online in Soshanguve and wanted him to go buy it for him.

“He drove from Rosslyn Gardens to meet the potential sellers at a tavern in Block HH. He was shown the Quantum that his brother saw online and he took it for a test-drive and was impressed,” said Maluleka.

Maluleka said a few minutes later the man managed to deposit R210 000 into the alleged fraudsters’ account.

“He was told that they have taken the vehicle to the traffic department for change of ownership.”

Another suspect then allegedly borrowed the victim’s cellphone, worth R7 000, to ‘check’ on his colleague who took the car for change of ownership but vanished with his device, leaving him stranded at the tavern.

Maluleka said that this was not the first incident they were aware of.

In another matter, a victim from KwaMashu in Durban was defrauded in January after seeing a Toyota Quantum for sale on Facebook for R135 000.

Maluleka said the victim made arrangements and travelled to a tavern in Soshanguve where they phoned the driver to bring the vehicle.

“After seeing the Quantum, he was told to wait in the tavern as they were going to process an affidavit. They returned and then went to the bank where the victim withdrew R40 000. He was asked to wait whilst the suspects left to go and collect a spare key.”

Maluleka said the fraudsters never returned. The vicim’s cellphone was also stolen.

He said that four other such cases have been reported between June and November last year.

Anyone with information that may lead to the arrest of any suspects should call Rietgat SAPS on 071 675 6250 or Brigadier Maphoto on 082 455 8236.