WINDHOEK – A Zambian man was allegedly scammed by a Namibian man after he came to Namibia to purchase a TLB vehicle at the invitation of the purported seller.
The incident happened on Tuesday at about 22h30 along Matshitshi road in Otjomuise.
The 60-year-old victim was robbed of cash of N$1 000; US$16 150; two iPhones (A11 and A13), valued at N$60 348.55 – as well as his Zanaco and FNB bank cards.
According to the Khomas Police spokesperson, Silas Shipandeni, the victim saw an advertisement for a TLB machine posted on social media by the Namibian man.
A tractor-loader-backhoe, commonly referred to as a TLB, is a multipurpose machine that is often used in the construction industry when digging and moving rubble or sand.
The two communicated on social media, and the victim agreed to come to Namibia to purchase the machine.
It is alleged that when he arrived at the airport, the Namibian seller, who was supposed to pick him up, said he would send someone else to fetch the victim.
When the victim realised he waited for too long, he decided to take a taxi to Windhoek instead.
He booked himself into a guesthouse and realised he needed to withdraw money for the guesthouse and to pay for the taxi, as the cash he had was meant to pay for the TBL.
Whilst at the ATM at Rhino Park, the person who was supposed to pick him up from the airport contacted him and they agreed to meet there.
Along the way, the driver told the victim they had to pick up a parcel somewhere.
They then drove up to where they found two suspects, armed with pistols.
He narrated the driver then stopped, and the suspects dragged the victim into the bushes and drove off.
No arrest has been made yet, and the investigation continues.
– fhamalwa@nepc.com.na