Police are looking for a man who has failed to appear in court on charges of theft of motor vehicles and fraud.
Unsuspecting victims who are selling their vehicles on Facebook Marketplace are being targeted by this alleged motor vehicle thief and fraudster. He will contact the seller and pretend to show interest in buying the vehicle for his girlfriend or wife as a birthday present. This suspect will then request the bank account of the seller so that he can transfer the cash price of the vehicle up for sale. Then he will send a notification and inform the victim that the money will reflect in the bank account after a few days. The seller (victim) will hand over the vehicle keys and papers of the vehicle and this fraudster will drive away with the vehicle. The victim (seller) will realize he has been scammed and that it was a fake notification that he received on his cellphone. Then the alleged fraudster will sell the same vehicle to a third party, usually a licensed vehicle dealership.
The suspect was caught red-handed while busy trying to scam another seller by Welkom K9 Unit members on 28 October 2021. Sello, also known as Papa Khumalo, was positively identified by the victims and he appeared in Welkom Magistrate Court, where he was granted bail of R5 000. In November 2022, he failed to appear in court and thus the warrant for his arrest was issued. He is facing five charges of theft of motor vehicles and fraud. The crimes were committed in Winburg, Welkom and Thabong.
Should anyone have information leading to the arrest of this alleged fraudster and motor vehicle thief, they are requested to contact Detective Constable Siyabonga Bawuthi of the Welkom Vehicle Crime Investigation Unit, who can be contacted at cellphone number 083 721 2918 or 076 791 5645. Alternatively, they can contact the Crime Stop number 08600 10111.
The Police would like to sternly warn those selling vehicles or any item on Facebook Marketplace to be vigilant for fraudsters.