Beware of Centurion flat rental scam
Centurion has become prey territory for most property scam artists. This after various people have fallen victim to a property scam.
Gopolang Chawane
Olebogeng Motshabi from Kempton Park, alongside five other individuals, have fallen victim to a “flat to rent” scam in Centurion. Centurion has become prey territory for most property scam artists. All the victims share the same story.
It is alleged the scam artist uses a different alias every time he advertises these units/flat. Motshabi said the scammer’s name is Troy, others say his name is Gerard, yet all these names seem to be fictitious. According to our recent investigation, Olebogeng Motshabi has established contact with the scam artist again, but this time his alias is Bayan with the cellphone number 076-567-6526. The same trick is being used, only the name and number are different. The seller never wants to establish proper face-to-face contact, but is adamant that he is letting a unit.
Warrant Officer Gumbu of the Lyttelton police indicated he was aware of this scam, with no other comment to share.
The scammer finds access into the complex, finds an empty unit, breaks in and duplicates keys or in another case rents the premises. This insures he/she has full access to the unit. All this happens in a process of two weeks to a month. They then advertise in a local newspaper or online at an unbelievable price.
When potential candidates call in, the scammer then asks them to deposit money into a false account number to secure their flat. One of the victims states he was asked to deposit a security fee of R500 into an FNB e-wallet account.
When the potential customer wants to see the flat, a third party is hired or manipulated into opening the gate for the buyers to see the unit. Buyers then view the unit, and in most cases cannot believe the great value for money they are receiving. In some instances, some of them could only view the unit from a distance because the lease holder was coincidentally out of town at that particular moment.
This then leads them into wanting to secure the vacant area as soon as possible. The scam artist then convinces them more people have bid for the unit, and if they make a deposit along with one month’s rent, this will guarantee their unit.
The strange part in all of this is that no one ever meets the scam artist face-to-face. The scam artist will always provide a convenient story as to why he cannot meet, but always ensures the potential clients pay the deposit and in some cases, include the first month’s rent.
The six victims all claim to have had doubts, however they were granted access into the complex, or unit and this to them ensured authenticity.
Simple tips to avoid falling victim to a scam:
– If it sounds too good to be true, it usually is. Scam artists usually prey on individuals who are desperate.
– Avoid paying upfront fees via wire transfer or depositing any fees before enough research validating authenticity.
– Ask detailed questions about the property and surrounding area/attractions, the property owner should know the area well.
– Ask for proof of ownership and look at public records to verify owner. Get any phone numbers for property associations and call them to see if the owner name matches the property.
– Rent through an established letting agent.
– Adverts on Olx and Gumtree are filled with anonymous flat to rent contacts with some of them being reported as fraudulent.
Also read:
Public warned about fake social media accounts
Jobseekers warned against recruitment scam
Watch out for scam using Woolworths’ name
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