PE man robbed after advertising car on Gumtree

A PORT Elizabeth man who advertised his VW Polo on Gumtree was robbed on Wednesday when two people posing as buyers ambushed him and stole his money.

This has prompted police and the online classified site to warn people of future scams. While similar crimes have been reported in South Africa, this is a first for the city.

Police spokesman Captain Sandra Janse van Rensburg said a Charlo man, 19, whose name is being withheld, was conned into meeting a potential buyer.

“The buyer and seller agreed to meet in Deal Party after the car was listed on Gumtree.

“The potential buyer then wanted to go to an ATM in Algoa Park to draw money.”

When the two arrived in Algoa Park a third man appeared. “The seller became suspicious as the men started asking strange questions. He then told them to cancel the deal. But when he tried to leave the third man pulled out a firearm and demanded he withdraw cash and hand over his cellphone.”

The man withdrew R2 000 and managed to escape in his vehicle.

“He then alerted the police and we are still searching for the robbers,” Janse van Rensburg said.

She said the crime showed criminals were prowling social media sites for victims.

“There are various precautions that need to be taken when advertising the sale of cars on a website. It is suggested that the seller sets the time and place to meet to avoid being ambushed.”

Gumtree spokeswoman Claire Cobbledick said such incidents were not common, with only two similar attacks reported since January. “There are more than 22 million interactions taking place on the site every month without incident.

“Safety is of critical importance to us and we are constantly trying to ensure transactions are completed easily and securely.”

The modus operandi mimics the so-called “Gumtree murder” in Cape Town two years ago.

Olwyn Cowley, 21, was shot twice in the head and his body dumped in the bushes near Monwabisi Beach after meeting potential buyers for his BMW, which he had advertised on Gumtree.

Cowley’s body was found a day later, leading police to arrest Jason Elias, Rameez Felix and Soegbudien Abvajee for his murder.

Earlier this month, the Western Cape High Court convicted Elias and Abvajee of murder, robbery and possession of an illegal firearm and illegal ammunition, while Felix was convicted of the theft of Cowley’s belongings. All three briefly reappeared in court on Tuesday but the case was postponed until next week for sentencing.