Scammer affects Durban North business’ reputation
The business has had customers come in looking for items they saw on Facebook Marketplace that had already sold.
A DURBAN North business claims their name and products are being used to run a scam on Facebook Marketplace and that it now has customers questioning their credibility.
Speaking to Northglen News, Shireen Elliot, owner of Now and Then Second Hand Shop, said they reported the matter to the police who told them there was nothing they could do to assist.
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“There was no case opened – not even an enquiry. The police basically told me there are too many scam incidents, and we should be careful of the information we put out,” said Elliot.
The alleged scammer posts old pictures of products from the business, some dating as far back as two years ago, claiming that he owns the item and is trying to sell it.
The customer and the scammer then chat on WhatsApp, and he asks for a deposit.
“In the past five months, people have come in wanting to buy furniture they had chatted to us on WhatsApp about, but that’s not how we work. So, immediately, it set off alarm bells. One customer forwarded us a chain of messages. Luckily, she didn’t pay the deposit of R350 which the conman has asked for, but maybe there are people who have,” she added.
Customers have come in to enquire about a wardrobe and a fridge – products that the business did have on sale two years ago and have since been sold.
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Elliot said this has negatively affected their business which they’ve owned for over ten years now.
“The person advertising our products on Facebook is using old photos of sold-out stock. We would never ask for a deposit. The scammer asks you to pay through Fastpay and says they will courier using a courier service. Courier services don’t move furniture. So please, don’t fall for this scam,” said Elliot.
“We just want people to know that we don’t sell our merchandise via WhatsApp so if someone says they’re affiliated with our business, it’s a scam. We will always tell you to come in and look at the products. Please refer to out website for the correct contact numbers,” she added.
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