Plett holidaymakers devastated by scam

A MAN who allegedly ran an accommodation scam that left about 100 students stranded in Plettenberg Bay may have pocketed more than R1-million through dubious deals.

Plett Tourism spokesman Patty Butterworth said that the man‚ in his early 50s and whose identity is known to TMG Digital‚ did not only fleece pupils attending the Plett Rage Student Festival. He allegedly scammed other holidaymakers looking to spend time in the popular coastal town.

Victims paid for their accommodation only to discover‚ upon arrival‚ that nothing had been booked.

Butterworth said there was confirmation of three holiday bookings‚ valued at about R300 000‚ made through bogus accommodation websites www.ethosholidays.co.za and www.aiea.co.za.

Butterworth added that the man had also targeted people in the UK.

Plett Tourism estimates that about 100 students were scammed and on average each may have forked out R8 000 to R12 000. Butterworth said the man might have scammed enough people to make millions.

Police spokesman Captain Malcolm Pojie said officers at Plettenberg Bay Police Station were investigating two cases of fraud against the man.

However, he anticipated that more complaints would arise. He too believed that the scam was not limited to matriculants.

“The suspect is known to us. He is still at large but we are on his trail‚” said Pojie, who estimated that victims had individually been conned out of tens of thousands of rands.

Lawyer Gerhard Jordaan confirmed that he had acted for the man in the past.

“He was a client of mine‚” said Jordaan‚ who added that he was trying to contact the man because he was involved in four pending civil matters.

Plettenberg Bay residents and businesses have come to the rescue of stranded students‚ said Butterworth.

Some offered free accommodation at their homes while other establishments offered discounted rates to the students. Tents were also set up at a camping site. — TMG Digital