Social media scammers target small business owners in KZN

THREE small business owners have fallen victim to an elaborate scam in the Chatsworth area, where fraudsters posing as legitimate buyers have made off with goods worth thousands of rand using fake e-wallet payments.

- MONISHKA GOVENDER [e-mail]

The scammers, operating near Bangladesh Market, have developed a pat-tern of targeting sellers on social media platforms, leaving victims in debt and warning others to be vigilant.

The victims said they were targeted on Facebook Marketplace by “interested buyers”.

Linda Ramiah, 49, of Phoenix, alleged she had been scammed by a couple named “Precious” and “Edgar”, on March 4.

“For the first time, I posted an advert on the Marketplace, selling an origi-nal brand of fabric softener. I also sell T-shirts and normally advertise through a messaging app.

“A week after my online post, I received a message from a person named Precious. But when we spoke on the phone, she said her name was Alisha and she was interested in buying my stock. She asked what quantity was for sale,” said Ramiah.

“When I said I had 288 bottles at R6 500, she said she would take all and asked for a better price. I told her that was the best price. She said she needed the stock urgently,” she added.

Ramiah said they arranged to meet near the Bangladesh Market.

“My husband, daughter and son-in-law went with me to deliver the boxes. We were not familiar with the area and we were confused about where to go. Alisha told us to meet her near a shop, which she named.