One resident learned the hard way that if something seems too good to be true, it usually is.
The resident, who wishes to stay anonymous, said he was scrolling through social media and came across an advertisement for a vehicle at a too-good-to-be-true sales price.
On the site, a company called ‘Auto Trade Auctions’ had an H1 Hyundai on auction valued at R40 000.

The resident immediately contacted the company interested in buying the vehicle as the pictured vehicle seemed in pristine and new condition.
Upon calling the alleged auction house, the victim spoke to a male named Andile who advised the victim to pay R10 000 upfront to keep the vehicle from being auctioned off. Andile then gave the victim an address in Krugersdorp where the vehicle could be collected.

Luckily, the victim did not pay the R10 000 and said that he would pay for the vehicle upon his arrival.
Whilst the unsuspecting victim was on his way to collect and pay for the vehicle in Krugersdorp, he received a call from Andiles’ supposed boss demanding the R10 000 payment before he arrived at the auction.

The victim however could only transfer R5 000.

The victim explained that upon his arrival, the address given was fake and the garage storing the vehicle was nowhere to be seen.

He then tried to contact Andile, but the number was inactive.

While there, the victim asked around and was told that many people had been sent to the area in search of the supposed business.
The scammer managed to disappear with the R5 000.

It is unclear how many people have fallen for this scam, but it is safe to say that many have fallen victim.

Have you fallen for an online scam? Let us know.
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