In the age of convenience, online marketplaces like Facebook Marketplace, OLX, and Gumtree have become go-to platforms for buying and selling used goods. But as these platforms grow, so does a disturbing trend — criminals using fake listings or meetups to target unsuspecting buyers and sellers.
Here on the Garden Route, several cases have surfaced where individuals have been scammed, robbed, or followed home after meeting strangers for online sales. What starts as a quick sale can end in property theft, identity fraud, or even home invasions.
⚠️ How Criminals Operate
These scams often follow a simple pattern:
- Fake Listings – Criminals post attractive ads at low prices to lure buyers. Once contact is made, they push for cash payments or remote deposits.
- Meet-Up Robberies – Some criminals arrange to “view” an item and then use the opportunity to scout your property or attack the seller.
- Location Tracking – In a few local incidents, suspects have followed sellers home after a meeting, later returning to break in once they knew where valuables were kept.
🧠 How to Stay Safe When Using Online Marketplaces
If you’re planning to sell or buy something online, take the same precautions you would when meeting a stranger:
- Never meet at your home. Choose a public location — preferably near a police station, shopping centre, or well-lit parking area.
- Avoid cash transactions. EFTs are safer, but only once verified in your account.
- Take someone with you. Don’t go alone — there’s safety in numbers.
- Don’t share personal information. Keep your address, ID, and phone number private.
- Trust your gut. If something feels off — it probably is.
🛡️ Your Security Doesn’t Stop Online
At Suiderkruis Security Services, we’ve seen firsthand how digital interactions can lead to real-world threats. Criminals are becoming more strategic, and sometimes your online footprint can tell them more than you realize.
Our advice? Stay alert — both online and off. And if something does feel wrong, remember:
📞 Our 24-hour emergency line is always open:
044 620 2567 or 081 777 5333 / 081 777 5360
We’re not just your neighbourhood security company — we’re your local safety partner, protecting Garden Route families for over 30 years with the largest fleet of response vehicles in the region.
✅ Stay Smart. Stay Secure. Stay Protected.
Suiderkruis Security Services (PTY) Ltd — Guarding the Garden Route since 1994.
