Plett holiday scam widens
Deals worth millions could be at stake as police track Havemann
THE man who allegedly ran an accommodation scam that left about 100 pupils stranded in Plettenberg Bay may have pocketed more than R1-million through dubious deals.
Plett Tourism spokeswoman Patty Butterworth said that Rick Havemann‚ in his early 50s, not only allegedly fleeced pupils attending the Plett Rage Festival but also other holiday-makers looking to spend time in the popular coastal town.
The victims paid for their accommodation only to discover on arrival that nothing had been booked.
Butterworth said there was confirmation of three holiday bookings‚ valued at about R300 000‚ made through two bogus websites www.ethosholidays.co.za and www.aiea.co.za
“This is so frustrating. I feel terrible for the people‚” Butterworth said.
People in the UK had also allegedly been targeted.
Plett Tourism estimates that about 100 pupils were scammed and, on average, each may have forked out between R8 000 and R12 000.
Butterworth said Havemann might have scammed enough people to make millions.
Police spokesman Captain Malcolm Pojie said two cases of fraud against Havemann were being investigated.
However, he anticipates that more complaints may come to light and believes the scam is not limited to matriculants.
“He is still at large but we are on his trail‚” Pojie said.
Lawyer Gerhard Jordaan confirmed that he had acted for Havemann in the past.
“He was a client of mine‚” he said.
He was trying to contact Havemann because he was involved in four pending civil matters.
Butterworth said Plettenberg Bay residents and businesses had come to the rescue of stranded pupils.
Some had offered free accommodation at their homes while other establishments offered discounted rates.
Tents were also set up at a camping site.
The Plettenberg Bay community has also taken to Facebook to join the search for Havemann.