Scam wipes smile off builder’s face

Handed R16000 to strangers like a lamb

By LUYANDA MAKAPELA

Crime Reporter

A BUFFALO Flats subcontractor told of how he fell prey to a scam after he met three people believed to belong to a money-making racket – and lost R16000 in the process.

Bennie Smiles of Smiles Building Contractors was shopping with his brother at the Beacon Bay Retail Park mall on Tuesday when he was approached by a tall man wearing a black outfit, who introduced himself only as Mike.

He asked if Smiles was a builder. “I immediately thought it was someone who knew me. He said his boss was looking for a professional builder who could successfully convert three homes into B&Bs in Bonza Bay,” Smiles said.

“We then set up an appointment to meet at a hotel with ‘Mike’ and his boss.

Smiles said at the meeting Mike immediately started marketing his building skills to his boss.

“While we were still talking the man took out an envelope with green stones inside and ordered Mike to deliver it to Vincent Park quickly.

“I drove him to Vincent where he would meet a lady who would give him money in exchange for the stones,” Smiles said.

They met the woman, who took out an envelope with R62000 in cash in exchange for the gems.

But Mike said the gems were in fact worth R182000 and after the woman promised she would get the money, Smiles and ‘Mike’ returned to the hotel.

‘Mike’s’ boss said he now needed an R18000 deposit as he no longer trusted ‘Mike’ with the stones.

Mike said he did not have the money and turned to Smiles, saying that they could share the profit of the stones if he was prepared to stand the deposit.

Smiles fell for it.

He drew the money and they gave it to the ‘boss’.

After an envelope with gemstones was given to Smiles and Mike, the other man asked Smiles to drop him at another hotel, leaving Mike behind.

“I drove him there but when I went back Mike was gone,” Smiles said.

“When I tried to ask people in the hotel foyer – and after waiting for more than an hour – they had no idea about Mike.”

Confused and angry, Smiles decided to report the matter at the East London Police Station. A theft docket has been opened.