A 37 year old businessman from Oakford, KZN approached RUSA after he was scammed by a syndicate claiming to be linked to the Platinum industry.
The victim informed Reaction Officers that on Monday (17/01/2022) he was seated in his vehicle on Wick Street in the Verulam CBD when he was approached by a foreign national. The man asked if he would assist him in making a call and interpreting a conversation between him and his employer due to him having a basic understanding of English.
The businessman obliged and made the call on his behalf. During his interpretation, the businessman realized that he person he was assisting was expected to supply Platinum valued at R875 000 to an individual in Pinetown, KZN the following day.
After he ended the call, the individual asked him if he would transport him to the drop off point the following day. The man agreed and asked to be compensated for fuel.
The two exchanged contact details and met the following morning in Durban Central, KZN. The victim was accompanied by his wife. The three proceeded to Wilson’s Warf on Victoria
Embankment after they were informed that a Security Officer was in possession of the Platinum bar.
They were approached by the alleged Security Officer shortly after they entered the parking lot. He handed over a Platinum bar to the passenger. The victim was given an opportunity to carry the precious metal which was wrapped in a cloth. The Security Officer then asked for R150 000 for his involvement in the theft of the precious metal. The money was to be paid prior to him handing over the Platinum.
After much negotiation he agreed to accept R10 000. At this stage the victim offered to pay the money due to his passengernot having cash immediately available. The victim thought that he would receive a portion of the profit on they have collected the R875 000.
The Security Officer agreed on the amount when the victim proceeded to an ATM and withdrew the cash. He was instructed that when he returned he must hand over the cash to his passenger who will drop it in a safe in his office and collect the Platinum bar. The driver was also asked to lend his passenger his cellphone so if he was questioned by anyone as to why he was entering the building he would inform them that he was there to sell a cellphone.
The victim complied with the instruction but realized that something was amiss when his passenger failed to return after 2 hours. He questioned car guards in the vicinity if they had seen his passenger or the Security Officer when they informed him that he had been scammed and the suspects probably fled through a rear entrance of the building he entered.
The victim requested that Reaction Unit South Africa (RUSA) circulate this information to avoid others from falling victim to this scam.