Refrain from buying cheap cars online, warns police
"Most potential buyers are duped into making electronic payments of vehicles they have not physically seen or touched."
Rietgat police are warning the community and visitors to the Rietgat’s policing precinct about conmen and -women who are defrauding unsuspecting buyers into buying vehicles that do not exist.
Police spokesperson Captain Stephen Malululeka said several cases have been opened at the station where victims say they were scammed out of thousands of rands in an attempt to buy vehicles they seen advertised online.
Maluleka said the most potential buyers are duped into making electronic payments of vehicles they have not physically seen or touched.
“These con artists lure their prey to a tavern where they host them like royalty while waiting for their vehicles to be delivered or taken for a car wash or a tyre change.
“One of the victims in recent weeks was taken to the traffic station in Mabopane under a guise of changing ownership of the vehicle he thought was his, and was left stranded at the gate waiting for the seller to come out with papers of his new set of wheels. But it was never to be and he waited until sunset.”
Maluleka said they would like to send a strong message to the community, especially those who have resigned, retired, or those who have saved their hard earned money for years to desist from such transactions in taverns or dodgy places.
“The SAPS urged the community to visit accredited dealerships if they want to purchase vehicles. The SAPS would also like to assure those who have fallen victim that the long arm of the law cannot be evaded forever, and will soon close the net on the suspects.”
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