Vehicle scam alert – don’t get caught out

POLICE have warned of an ongoing vehicle sales scam whereby fraudsters pretend to be authorised car sales agents to secure illicit deposits.

Detectives in the province have identified a criminal operation, using the name ‘Izy Motors‘, believed to be operating from Pietermaritzburg and surrounding areas.

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The fraudsters advertise vehicles for sale on social media platforms – Facebook in particular – and request interested parties to make deposit payments via E-wallet to secure the vehicle.

Thereafter, arrangements are made for the vehicle to be delivered by truck from Gauteng to the buyer’s residence.

This never materialises and the fraudsters avoid all further contact with the purchaser.

SAPS warns anyone looking to buy vehicles to verify the authenticity of the dealership before agreeing to a sale.

Several cases have been reported at various KZN police stations.

Anyone who is a victim of a similar crime, or who knows of criminals with the same modus operandi, are urged to contact Colonel Narayan on 082 4115272 or Crime Stop on 08600 10111.

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