Dangerous OLX extortion and kidnapping syndicate uncovered

At the meeting the victim is introduced to a second member of the syndicate, who shows them a bag full of cash and diamonds.
The diamonds must allegedly be sold to a third party to make up the rest of the cash to pay for the vehicle.
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And that's where I would have cancelled the deal and walk away.
 
Tman* said:
I didnt realise people still use OLX in this day and age. One visit to their website should put you off for life
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Wasn't just OLX,see my junkmail link,and I know Gumtree was also rife
 
I was worried until I read about the diamonds - I am sorry, but any person who entertains any kind of deal that involves diamonds has him/herself to blame.

This scam requires the seller to make quite a few mistakes first for it to be successful - which for me is a "relief". The type of scams that scare me the most are the ones that most vigilant people can fall for.
 
The_MAC said:
I was worried until I read about the diamonds - I am sorry, but any person who entertains any kind of deal that involves diamonds has him/herself to blame.

This scam requires the seller to make quite a few mistakes first for it to be successful - which for me is a "relief". The type of scams that scare me the most are the ones that most vigilant people can fall for.
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It starts as a call,and a request to bring it to a police station to inspect and go to a bank to transfer if they are happy,which doesn't seem overly suspect. By the time you've arrived there and met the guy(s) you are already in the trap - especially since the police seem complicit in this
Glad you feel your vigilance is a perfect defense :)
 
Okty said:
And that's where I would have cancelled the deal and walk away.
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People are a little bit stupid. If you want to pay me in cash I will tell you how high to jump.

Incidentally, a guy from the Northwest tried to scam me a few years ago. Wanted to pay me half now and half in installments. He told me that he was part of the church band, therefore he was trustworthy.

And then he said that if I didn't sell him the car that day, he would fly to Cape Town and buy a different car there. I said, have a good flight and enjoy your new car because you not getting mine.
 
Ancalagon said:
He told me that he was part of the church band, therefore he was trustworthy.
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When people come with that BS, then you know to avoid any "lending" deals with them. Instant payment or nothing at all.
 
Ancalagon said:
People are a little bit stupid. If you want to pay me in cash I will tell you how high to jump.

Incidentally, a guy from the Northwest tried to scam me a few years ago. Wanted to pay me half now and half in installments. He told me that he was part of the church band, therefore he was trustworthy.

And then he said that if I didn't sell him the car that day, he would fly to Cape Town and buy a different car there. I said, have a good flight and enjoy your new car because you not getting mine.
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I have an opposite story, I recently bought a car via OLX, turned out to be one of the best transactions I have made - but this is probably not the norm.

We (buyer and seller) were both very sceptical, and both put in the required checks i.e bank transfer only, meet at my work-place etc.

It turned out well, we both got the price we wanted, minus the middleman, and we are still in touch today - turned out we know someone mutual - and I ended up selling my replaced car to the seller..
 
Im also getting a lot of calls with some company wanting to pay 1/3 of the price now and then remaining in installments. Im wondering if i list the vehicle at x3 the price will they still call me and offer the deal
 
If anyone is interested, here are some choice quotes from the scammer. The guy who tried to scam me like 7 years ago. I do know his name but I won't disclose it.

Scammer:
My broker (have used him on all my vehicles), since I am a very busy man myself, charges me a R1000 for his efforts to roadworthy. This is the fee I expect to be deducted from the R40,000, otherwise RWC is something you have to take care of, otherwise we deduct the broker fee amicably. The RWC process is tedious and time consuming, and i too don't have the time, so a broker is essential, but is costly.

Thank you for your further consideration.
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Me:
How you choose to do the roadworthy is up to you. You can do it yourself and save R600, or use your broker. I'm not willing to pay for you to use a broker. Thus, I can do R39600 without a COR. If you want a COR, you might have to wait a week and a half, as I can only get it done after getting my new car back from being serviced (which is happening right now). That might happen by Friday or it might not.
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Scammer:
If another buyer does manage to beat me to it, please let it go. I would not want to inconvenience you in any way.
I am concerned that I may only be finalising the full R40 000 by the end of Mar, early April, and this is to long to wait for a car, although it is a very good car, but am strained with only one car.

I have R25000 as cash deposit, and am forced to look at the alternatives, unless all my units were sold and paid for soon.
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me:

I will keep my eyes open - let me know if you are able to raise the cash.
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Scammer:
I am ready to transfer the R25 000 cash, but then R15 000 is also to long to wait. Need an additional vehicle like yesterday. You are obviously in no position to release it, even you held onto the papers. In this regard, I would most definitely raise a further R10 000 by end of Feb, and the balance of R5000 by mid March.

Let me know, as you may have a second thought about it.

I have plans to fly into CT by Saturday, and drive back with one on Sunday. If things change we can still talk.
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Me:
Let me know. Dont transfer the R25k unless you know you can get the rest within 2 weeks. I wont relase either the car or the papers until everything is paid. Besides which, a COR only lasts so long.

See if you can borrow from friends and family! Up to you, I'll carry on looking for a buyer but you can let me know if you manage to scrape together the money.
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Scammer:
I received a message last night (picture attached) that this car was available, and drastically reduced, and also sold for R40k this morning.

One owner, 100% original, 160000 km. Beauty.

They were willing to deal though, with terms until Mar, but too late.
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me:
I'd be willing to sell you the car in March if it isnt sold yet but I'm not going to hand anything over until I receive every cent. It is just too risky.
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Scammer:
I understand your risk. You are a reasonable man.

I was hoping that perhaps you could save me a trip to CT.

Please know, that you can absolutely trust me in this transaction. If you find it reasonable enough, I will collect this car with my wife and kid, to show you I am somebody who won't let you down.

Allow me to transfer the R25k, and a further R10k by end of Feb, and the balance of R5k in Mar. In transferring the R25k, I would be in a position to collect, understanding that I cannot proceed to do change of ownership, since you will keep the papers, and spare keys, until I have settled.

I do need an additional as at yesterday, and your is just the right car.

Need to know by 2pm today, as I need plan CT trip to collect attached, in the event that you decline.

I will fully understand, whatever you decide

Thank you, and hoping for a consideration in this matter.
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Me:
There are just too many fraudsters today for me to feel comfortable giving you the car when you still owe money on it. I'm afraid I'm going to have to pass unless you can get me all R40k.

Enjoy the other car then!
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Scammer:
Yes, your words are smart, and do make sense.

Its just that our circumstances do differ drastically, and I prefer to purchase all my goods under cash transactions. The only deal I will do through the bank is when I finally purchase a property of my own.

I have been heavily indebted at some point, and had to make a turn around strategy. I do not even have a credit card, but rather a positive bank balance.

Unfortunately, I guess this would be a risk I have to take.

Thank you for all your patience, and your kind consideration. I just realised, my sister in law also stays in xxx.
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Me:
I understand, I do not like being in debt unless absolutely necessary. But I suppose you will need to weigh up the risks - if you can pay the bank back by mid March, then your interest payments should be fairly low.

At this point, I'm assuming that you will not taking a short term loan and so will not be buying my car. If you change your mind, let me know.
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Scammer:
Yes, I am strong willed, and don't bend easily, which has its flaws,
but I guess has its strengths as well.

I won’t me making a loan from anybody, as I also have some pride
issues I guess, lol...

If it may interest you, in the name of honesty, and one being ethical.
My wife and I do a Christian Youth Group, i belong to a Church Band as
a musician (keyboardist), have been ministering many years to young
adults. What I am saying, is that I also do not have the conscience to
rob people of their possessions. I am a simple person, and have done
deals with a simple handshake, as I have integrity, and people do
trust me.

But I also understand that you have to weigh all your options.

I respect, and will value your decision. There is absolutely no
pressure to conform to my standard.
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Me:
I'm sorry, you aren't keen to go into debt to a bank but don't seem to mind being in debt to me - this doesn't add up.

Unfortunately being a Christian doesn't carry much weight for me - I've been an Atheist for more than 10 years.

Anyway, that doesn't matter. I simply cannot take the risk of letting you have the car without full payment. That is my final decision.
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I know 2 people who fell victim to this kind of scam. Both admit they were misled by greed. Each lost over R15k in cash.
 
ForceFate said:
I know 2 people who fell victim to this kind of scam. Both admit they were misled by greed. Each lost over R15k in cash.
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Same syndicate? Maybe they can also come forth to lay a claim and maybe get something back?
 
Okty said:
Same syndicate? Maybe they can also come forth to lay a claim and maybe get something back?
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Sounds like it's a different syndicate. The incidents happened at different times and different locations but MO was the same. "Diamonds" were involved in both incidents.
 
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