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Motorists urged to avoid social media vehicle purchases after hijacking incident
The Tshwane Metro Police Department (TMPD) task team in Region 1 Sector 1 recovered a hijacked vehicle and rescued the driver who was trapped inside the locked boot on September 22.
The metro police have urged the public to exercise caution when buying vehicles online.
Spokesperson, Senior Superintendent Issac Mahamba, said while conducting routine duties, officers received a report of a hijacked VW vehicle in the Klipgat area.
“Criminals are increasingly using social media platforms to target unsuspecting buyers, especially in areas like Winterveldt.”
Mahamba said the team followed leads and located the vehicle abandoned in Winterveldt.
“To their shock, they found the driver locked in the boot of the car, revealing a harrowing story.
“The victim explained that he and a friend were responding to an online advertisement for a vehicle.”
He said misled by the sellers, they arrived at a predetermined location, only to be confronted by three armed suspects.
“While the passenger managed to flee, the driver was forcibly placed in the boot and transported to Winterveldt, where the suspects began to strip the vehicle for parts.
“The assailants appeared to be on high alert for police presence, escaping just as TMPD officers approached the scene.”
Mahamba said a case of hijacking and kidnapping has since been opened.
The TMPD warns that potential buyers should refrain from making transactions without verification and ideally should rather consider purchasing vehicles through established dealerships or trusted sources.
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