Facebook vehicle scam: Two convicted after victims targeted by bogus cops - IOL

Two men were each handed six-year wholly suspended prison sentences after pleading guilty to theft linked to a Facebook vehicle scam that targeted unsuspecting buyers in Jouberton.

Two men have been convicted and sentenced for their role in a Facebook vehicle scam in which unsuspecting buyers were lured to premises in Jouberton, confronted by men posing as police officers and forced to hand over money.

Cleopas Msipa, 51, and Tshepiso de Beer, 46, pleaded guilty to theft and were convicted in the Stilfontein Regional Court.

They were each sentenced to six years’ imprisonment, wholly suspended for five years.

North West police spokesperson Colonel Anne Magakoe said the convictions followed an investigation into a syndicate that allegedly used Facebook advertisements for vehicles and taxis to lure victims.

“The victims were then threatened with arrest and compelled to hand over money or transfer funds from their bank accounts,” Magakoe said.

“In some instances, bank cards were taken and used to conduct transactions at taverns and other businesses.”

According to police, victims who responded to the social media advertisements were directed to identified premises, where a group of men would enter and introduce themselves as police officers from Potchefstroom.

The victims were separated and questioned before being told that gold-bearing material or diamonds had been discovered at the premises.

The bogus officers would then threaten them with arrest, using the threat to force victims to surrender money or make electronic transfers.

The Provincial Organised Crime Unit, working with Crime Intelligence, launched an entrapment operation in March 2023 that resulted in eight suspects being arrested.

Further investigations and identification parades later linked suspects to additional cases involving a similar modus operandi.

Magakoe said the investigation was strengthened by the work of Detective Constable Thabiso Pheela and the multidisciplinary team involved in the case.

North West Commissioner Lieutenant-General Arthur Adams commended Pheela for his investigative work and said police would continue pursuing organised criminal groups targeting unsuspecting members of the public.

“He emphasised that SAPS will continue to pursue organised criminal groups who prey on unsuspecting members of the public through deceptive schemes,” Magakoe said.

Proceedings against three remaining accused were postponed to October 21.

They remain in custody pending the allocation of a new trial date.

Police have meanwhile warned members of the public to exercise caution when buying vehicles or other high-value goods advertised on social media.

“It is important for the public to verify the legitimacy of sellers and transactions before making any payments or sharing personal and banking information, as criminals may use social media advertisements to defraud unsuspecting victims,” Magakoe said.