WESTERN CAPE. – Two men were arrested on Monday in Observatory in connection with alleged fraud during the sale of a camera advertised on Facebook Marketplace. The incident occurred at Riverlands Mall after the seller allegedly received a notification that a payment of R29 000 had been made immediately. However, the money did not appear in his bank account, which raised suspicion that the payment was fraudulent.
Col. André Traut, police spokesperson, says the police's fraud unit investigated information about the possible fraud and contacted security officials and the complainant at the shopping centre. The two suspects were initially taken to Woodstock police station where further investigation was conducted and a case of attempted fraud was opened. Further investigation allegedly linked them to an existing fraud case at Milnerton police and at least three other alleged incidents in which victims were defrauded. Traut says both suspects were then arrested on charges of fraud and held at Woodstock police station. Two cellphones were also seized as part of the investigation.
Police praised the cooperation between police officers and private security officials, which contributed to the rapid response to the incident. Police warn the public to be cautious when buying or selling goods online, as fraudsters often use false payment proofs and deceptive notifications of immediate payments. A payment notification, screenshot or payment proof does not necessarily mean that the money has been received. Sellers must confirm themselves that the money has appeared in their bank account before handing over goods.
Police also advise people to keep messages, contact details and other records of online transactions and report suspected fraud to their nearest police station.
This article is an automatic English translation of a Nuusflits article originally published in Afrikaans. Read the Afrikaans original.
