A FAMILY from Wetton is soon to be homeless after being scammed twice after borrowing R20 000 for a nutec home after the builders disappeared with the money and building materials.
Adrian Carelse, 50, his wife and 18-year-old daughter live at his wife’s aunt’s house in Wetton. He said that the aunt got evicted from her house and everyone needs to be out by 30 June.
The hartseer dad says: “We eventually decided to build a nutec house since we could not find or afford other accommodation. A family friend allowed us to put up the structure in her backyard in Mitchells Plain.”
Adrian said they approached the first company called Kay's Nutec Homes which he found on Facebook Market Place on 24 February.
He explains: “After discussing via Whatsapp, we decided to use them. The terms were, 50% deposit and the balance can be paid off in monthly installments.
"The day before the build was to start, Kay said he's sending someone else because he is too busy but that we can trust the person he has referred. We had no issue because why should we expect any funny business, so we said fine.”
“We met at the site on 26 February. Three foreign nationals rocked up late in a car with nothing and the guy introduced himself as James. I was asked to sign a document [like a contract] for the job and asked to do the payment. They started digging a trench and I paid R14 000.”
“James then says they need to get the materials and the truck and then return, so he leaves and the other two continued to dig the foundation. At this point, I'm not suspicious and then go into the main house to avoid the dust. Meanwhile, James returned quietly and picked up his guys and disappeared.”
At the end of February, Adrian got scammed again by another company called Blue Dot Innovations also from Facebook Market Place.
He adds: “Her name is Julie and she assured us that she's legit and there are no scams here. She sent a guy named Mpho and I even went with them to the hardware place to buy cement, sand and stone to lay my foundation. They came with their truck and like the others started clearing and digging this foundation.”
“Mpho said they forgot to buy the plastic and he is going to the hardware store but he will leave the two guys. I waited indoors and those guys were gone when I came out.”
Captain FCvan Wyk confirmed a fraud case was registered for investigation.
He says: “This case was opened at Lansdowne SAPS and transferred to Mitchells Plain SAPS detectives for further investigations. Investigations continue, no arrest as yet.”
When the Daily Voice reached out to the alleged scammers, only Blue Dot Innovations responded.
A woman said that Mpho also robbed her and dumped her truck in Langa. She said that for the sake of her company, she is willing to return Adrian’s money.
Adrian said the money was never paid and she stopped responding.