EXPORTERS SHOULD be aware of a scam that lures agents into making a deal to buy worthless gems from international conmen.
Police have warned businessmen, in particular importers and exporters, to be aware of approaches from men who claim to need an SA agent to broker a gem deal.
The conmen approach an agent and ask him to act as middleman between themselves and a customer in return for a commission of thousands of rands.
A meeting is set up between the victim, the seller, and the customer, usually a well dressed white man who claims to be a jeweller.
The meeting usually takes place in a plush Rosebank restaurant in Johanesburg or a hotel to lend credibility to the scam.
The jeweller appraises the goods, usually rubies or diamonds, and says they are worth a million rand. A deal is struck between the buyer and seller over a price for the gems.
However, before the deal is concluded, the buyer requires a deposit, usually an amount of R20 000.
The victim is persuaded to put up the deposit, and gets to keep the gems until the deal is concluded. Soon after handing over the cash to the buyer the men disappear leaving the victim with the jewels which turn out to be pieces of painted glass.
In one recent incident a Johannesburg import agent contacted the police after he smelled a rat, but the men disappeared before they could be arrested.
Police say several people have already fallen for the scam, losing tens of thousands of rands to the conmen.
