Online sellers fall prey to criminals

Cape Town 100605 Wemer Schmidt was robbed R800 rand through a gumtree scam Picture Ayanda Ndamane

Cape Town 100605 Wemer Schmidt was robbed R800 rand through a gumtree scam Picture Ayanda Ndamane

Published Mar 12, 2013

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Durban - People selling goods on online advertiser Gumtree are being targeted in their homes and businesses by a new gang of gun-toting criminals looking to make quick cash.

A month ago, the alleged leader of a gang of robbers which targeted people selling cars on Gumtree was nabbed by police.

Ronnie Devraj, 44, a convicted killer, is facing seven counts of armed robbery, hijacking and kidnapping.

He is expected to appear again in the Durban Magistrate’s Court on April 1.

Last week, Tyrone Pierrot was tied up and held at gunpoint while six robbers cleaned out his friend’s Shongweni flat.

Pierrot said his friend had advertised a plasma television and Blu-ray player for sale on Gumtree.

“A guy by the name of Calvin called and said he wanted to buy the stuff. “

“My friend’s sister was supposed to have met them, but she had an emergency at the last minute. He asked me to do him a favour and let the guy in to see the television and Blu-ray player.”

Pierrot said three men arrived at the flat, including Calvin. “They looked at the television, switched it on and looked again for about half an hour. They seemed unsure about whether they wanted to buy it.”

He said Calvin went outside to call his wife.

“He had taken a picture of the television and sent it to his wife. He wanted to see if she was happy with the way it looked before he paid for it.”

He went back inside and said his wife was on her way with the cash, Pierrot said.

“More than 20 minutes passed and she did not pitch. I told them I needed to leave. Suddenly one of the guys pulled out a knife and held it to my face. I managed to hit it out of his hand. A scuffled ensued. Calvin then pulled out a gun and told me to lie on the floor.”

Pierrot said they tied him up and held the gun to his head. “They took whatever they could carry. They then locked me inside the flat and stole my radio from my vehicle. They fled in an old Isuzu bakkie. I managed to untie myself. I ran after them, but they were long gone.”

In another incident in Hillary, a businessman, his wife and domestic worker were tied up and robbed, allegedly by the same gang.

The businessman, who buys and sells scratched and dented plasma television sets, had placed an advert on Gumtree.

He was also visited by four men in a white Isuzu bakkie.

They made off with over 30 television sets.

Private investigator Brad Nathanson warned people advertising on Gumtree to be alert.

“A potential buyer calls you expressing interest in seeing the goods for sale. The seller is then robbed at gunpoint.

“We have been mandated to investigate three separate incidents in the last week,” he said. He warned people not to entertain potential buyers on their own or in their home.

“Please alert everybody you know before somebody is seriously hurt or worse.”

A police source said two members of the original gang were still on the run.

“It is the easiest way to get cash. They steal goods that can be easily disposed off.

“While the alleged gang leader is behind bars, it is possible that the other two who are on the run have recruited new members and are continuing with their crime spree.

 

Ten months ago, another member of the so-called “Gumtree Gang” was arrested and pleaded guilty to six counts of armed robbery. He was sentenced to six terms of 25 years’.

Raventhran Kistensamy Chetty had pleaded guilty to six counts of armed robbery.

He was given a prison sentence of 150 years – 25 years for each count.

The sentences run concurrently, meaning he will serve an effective 25 years in prison.

Daily News

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