The Western Cape Department of Human Settlements has urged residents to be aware of online housing scams that request them to pay for government housing assistance.
The department said that it had recently learnt of a Whatsapp message that had been circulating – claiming to assist residents in receiving a house within two weeks.
As part of the scam, residents are requested to pay R2,300 for the approval letter and title deed to receive the opportunity.
It said the following areas had been targetted:
- Khayelitsha
- Stellenbosch
- Montana Paarl
- Mitchells Plain
“Residents should be aware that no payment is required to be placed on the housing demand database (waiting list), t apply for a housing subsidy, or any related government housing service,” said the department.
The scam targets vulnerable residents who are in need of assistance and are willing to pay to be ‘bumped up the waiting list’.
To further mask that it is a scam, many perpetrators have some knowledge of how government housing works and go as far as to create fraudulent approval letters and correspondence that can appear lawful and authentic.
“While some residents are also aware of how the system works, the mere suggestion of being bumped up on the waiting list prompts them to find the means to pay a requested fee to fast-track the process,” said Muneeraa Allie, the department’s acting director of communication.
This scam forms part of many online housing scams for which there has been a…
