Police have warned people in Gauteng who sell goods through advertising publications to meet their prospective buyers at police stations because robbers and fraud convicts have been targeting advertisers.
Gauteng police spokesperson Captain Jan Sepato said on Wednesday that criminals, specifically in the Silverton area, had been responding to advertisements and then either defrauded the seller with false cheques or robbed them when they delivered the goods.
Sepato said in one case, a Sandton woman selling her Mini Cooper had been defrauded by a man who said he was interested in buying the vehicle.
The woman drove to Silverton and was met by a man who claimed to work for the caller. This man handed over cheque for the agreed amount and the woman handed over the keys to the car. When she tried to cash the cheque it was found to be fraudulent.
Sepato said in another case a man who tried to sell a motorbike had been held at gunpoint and his van and the motorbike were stolen.
Sepato urged sellers to be wary of prospective buyers and said they should demand an identity document or driver’s licence. These documents should be verified before the sale.
Sepato also advised sellers to meet prospective buyers near police stations. Both the buyer and seller could then verify the documents and proceed with the sale. – Sapa