Scammers in the secondhand gaming market constantly try steal your goods, not only sellers, but buyers as well. Like Many South Africans who want to buy secondhand gaming consoles, the team at MobiTraderSA has had enough!
On Wednesday 24 February 2021, a typical scammer approaches the MobiTraderSA team with interest in our PS4 Slim 500gb Package for R4199.
Right from the start we know it's a scam. The buyer has no interest in seeing the console before paying, doesn't care what comes with it, and simply doesn't ask similar questions as our usual customers.
We play along, ready to finally catch one of the scammers. We entertain his request to send us the payment and have a Bolt (taxi service) collect the console upon receiving the POP (Proof of Payment).
Receiving the Fake Proof of Payment
Only a few moments later, he sends the proof of payment in a PDF format with the name Copy4-ABSA (6) 19. Of course, this is a major no as it should be the reference of the payment. Opening the doc doesn't rise any instant alarms, but we found no transaction number or even a reference.
A call to ABSA (Bank listed on the fake POP) quickly confirms the fake payment and document.
Without giving away that we're aware of the scam, we proceed with the transaction.
The Bolt Driver arrived just a few moments later and was informed of the scammer using his service. The driver agreed to wait for the police, who arrived quickly after our call.
Drive to JHB CBD In Hunt of the Scammer
Upon arrival of the Wierda Park police van, they suggested we follow the Bolt driver and catch the scammer. One police officer in the car with the driver and the MobiTraderSA team in the bakkie with the other officer.
Before arriving at the address of delivery, the scammer contacted the Bolt driver and changed the address, suspecting something. In the police van we followed the Bolt from a distance and stopped around the corner of the new delivery address.
The scammer was in a block of flats, looking down at the road and being able to see into the Bolt car, saw an additional person. He contacted the driver and asked who was with him, to which the driver responded no one is in the car.
Unfortunately, the scammer caught on and didn't come to collect the PS4 package.
We're Not Done with the Scammers
Though the first scammer got away, the MobiTraderSA team and SAPS of Wierda Park learnt from the situation. We've adapted our approach and aim to be faster and less obvious with our next approach in catching them.
To scammers reading this, we will catch you, it's not just the MobiTraderSA team who keep their eyes open, but rather loads of our customers as well. Sooner or later, you'll contact the wrong person and not expect what's coming to you.
Avoid Scammers and Time Wasters with MobiTraderSA
MobiTraderSA is here to make buying and selling your gaming goods hassle-free. We offer a scam-less environment where buyers and sellers can feel at ease and receive high-quality gaming goods.
Not only do we offer some of the highest rates to buy your console and goods, but also have the lowest prices for those seeking an upgrade.
Visit MobiTraderSa.com and find the best deals and also get an instant quote on what you're selling.
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