Scam bug hits Soweto DJ for R1 500
Fraudster poses as club owner Zama
A budding Soweto club DJ has fallen prey to a scammer who poses as Jabulani Mjay Zama, the owner of the popular Eyadini Lounge in Umlazi, outside Durban. Itumeleng Masoko of Protea Glen was scammed of R1 500 last week by the impostor who is said to target up-and-coming DJs, musicians and photographers. Masoko was scammed of R1 500 before the impostor switched off all his cellphones. Sowetan has seen the fake proof of a Bidvest instant voucher of R5 000 that was texted to Masoko . Masoko told Sowetan the incident happened on Wednesday when he thought he had scored a weekend gig at Eyadini. “I received an SMS from Jabulani Zama’s number asking me to contact him. I was excited because I always wanted to perform there. I called him back and he asked where I had performed and the fee I charge,” Masoko said.
“After an agreement, I received an SMS money services alert to go and withdraw R5 000 from Bidvest ATM. He suggested that in the meantime I must pay R1 500 to Trevor who is a travel agent to start booking flights and accommodation.” After failing to find one such ATM in the township, Masoko had to drive to Newtown Junxion Mall in Johannesburg.
When he got to Bidvest Bank, he discovered that the bank did not provide such a service. When he contacted the so-called Zama, his cellphones were off. Masoko contacted Eyadini about the scam and was told it was an ongoing crime they were dealing with.
Zama told Sowetan yesterday he was aware of the scam that had been going on for two years.
He said the scam stopped for a while, but it was back on again.
Zama said the man had tried to scam some of the country’s established musicians, including Mafikizolo. “People have been complaining about this guy. Some are lucky they verify the bookings before paying the money. But others always do the verification long after the guy has taken their money. “However, with Mafikizolo, the group was able to verify the story because they had my cellphone number.
“I didn’t open a case with the police because no one stole anything from me. But I’m appealing to everyone to first verify with us before they deposit money into a bank account of anyone using our names or business in vain.”
Sowetan contacted the impostor, but his phone has been on voicemail.
‘‘ I was excited because I always wanted to perform there