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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
As part of the scam, residents are requested to pay R2,300 for the approval letter and title deed to receive the opportunity.<\/p>\n
It said the following areas had been targetted:<\/p>\n
“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.<\/p>\n
The scam targets vulnerable residents who are in need of assistance and are willing to pay to be ‘bumped up the waiting list’.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
“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.<\/p>\n
This scam forms part of many online housing scams for which there has been a resurgence. According to the department, several Facebook accounts are making similar claims to assist residents in receiving government housing opportunities – in some instances, impersonating a government official.<\/p>\n
With large sums of money being transferred for real estate and many payments now taking place online, cybercrimes specifically targeting prospective homeowners have emerged.<\/p>\n