South Africa: A couple aged 33 & 34 years old respectively have come forward to report a fraud that happened with them to the Reaction Unit South Africa (RUSA). The couple believes that they have been scammed by a woman in Botha’s Hill in Kwazulu Natal.
The scam allegedly happened when the couple was looking for a venue for their wedding, which is slated for March 2025. The couple lives in Ethekweni – KZN and have explained to the Reaction Unit South Africa that they booked a venue for their wedding.
Upon making this booking, wanting to secure their place for March 2025 they had paid R20 000 via EFT for 250 guests. After the payment had been made, the woman advertising the venue had started to avoid the couple. She also made several excuses to the couple when they asked to view the premises.
- The couple has shared that the they eventually learnt via social media that atleast ten (10) others were scammed similarly by the woman. The victims included couples from other provinces in South Africa.
The couple has alleged that it is possible that the woman did not own the premises & was merely using the images to promote a scam.
According to the couple, the woman had insisted that they had to pay in full to secure the premises that were almost fully booked for 2024/2025. When they realised that they were victims of a scam they contacted the venue owner for a refund.
At this point, the couple was blocked on all social media platforms. They then provided Officers with Proof of Payment, Whatsapp & Facebook Messenger Chats & email correspondence. Reaction Officers were also informed that a Whatsapp Group was formed by all victims that were scammed and are in discussions regarding criminal cases that will be registered.
The couple was forced to downsize the wedding after they were unable to recover their paid amount. They got married on December 28, 2024 at a venue in Pietermaritzburg – KZN.