Police warn aspiring mini-bus owners to beware fraudsters
“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.
Soshanguve police have warned individuals aspiring to own a Toyota Quantum to be vigilant against fraudsters prowling around the Rietgat policing precinct.
Captain Stephen Maluleka said the fraudulent activity was taking place at taverns in Block HH and P.
“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 then drove from Rosslyn Gardens to meet potential sellers at a tavern in Block HH, Soshanguve, where upon his arrival he was shown the Quantum that his brother saw online and he took it for a test drive and was impressed.”
Maluleka said a few minutes later the man managed to deposit R210 000 into the alleged fraudsters’ account.
“He was immediately told that they have taken the vehicle to the traffic department for change of ownership,” Maluleka said.
He said subsequently, another fraudster borrowed the victim’s cellphone worth R7 000 to ostensibly check on his colleague who took the car for change of ownership. However, eventually the man vanished with his device without trace and leaving him stranded at the tavern.
“Another victim from KwaMashu in Durban was also defrauded in January after seeing a Toyota Quantum 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.
“Upon the arrival of the Quantum, he was told to wait in the tavern as they were going to process an affidavit. They returned and proceeded to the bank where the victim withdrew money amounting to R40 000 and was asked to wait as they (fraudsters) were going to collect the spare key.”
Maluleka said the fraudsters disappeared, along with his cellphone and never returned.
“Four others were also defrauded in the same manner between June and November 2021 at taverns in Block HH and P.”
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Rietgat police vowed to tackle such crimes in their policing precinct.
“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.
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