Standerton Magistrate’s Court grants bail to alleged Facebook-fraudster
Rautenbach allegedly lured a man in April 2022 into paying R400 000, pretending to sell him a truck.
Heinrich Rautenbach (34) allegedly defrauded a person who wanted to buy a truck from him.
According to a statement from the provincial commissioner of police, the victims reported the incident to SAPS in Standerton.
The police traced Rautenbach and arrested him in Springs on July 22. Rautenbach allegedly lured a man in April 2022 into paying R400 000, pretending to sell him a truck.
The victim paid a deposit of R320 000. When the victim further communicated with the alleged fraudster, he had to pay the remaining balance before getting the truck.
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The victim then made another deposit of the outstanding amount but still could not receive the truck.
According to police, the victim went to the given address to find out the truck was not there. The victim opened a case in December last year, and the police conducted an investigation.
After his arrest about 15 months later, the police charged Rautenbach with fraud. He appeared in the Standerton Magistrate’s Court on July 24 and granted bail of R10 000.
Lieutenant General Semakaleng Daphney Manamela reiterated that people should be careful when buying properties from various social media platforms, as many are scammed.
