KNYSNA NEWS - The Pezula Championship Course has issued an urgent warning to the public after fraudsters began impersonating its director of golf, Ashley Weir, on WhatsApp.
Several local business owners have already lost thousands of rands.
According to Weir, this scam has claimed multiple victims over the past two days, leading the golf course having to alert the community before more people are defrauded.
“We have had local business owners lose thousands already yesterday and today, and we want to do our best to get the word out there so that no one responds or sends him any more money,” he said.
The scammer is using the fake WhatsApp number 060 341 8475, falsely claiming to be Ashley Weir of the Pezula Championship Course.
How the scam is perpetrated
The fraud typically begins when the scammer contacts business owners to arrange what appears to be a legitimate business meeting with Weir at the Pezula Championship Course. On the way to the supposed appointment, the victims are asked to do a ‘favour’ by purchasing some Flash vouchers from Pick n Pay or Checkers.
The scammer then requests that the victim photograph the vouchers and send the images on WhatsApp before they arrive at the golf course. Once the voucher codes have been sent, the fraudster redeems them, leaving the victim out of pocket.
Victims only realise they have been scammed when they arrive at Pezula, where the staff have to explain that no meeting was ever arranged and that Weir has no knowledge of any such requests.
Verify before you act
Weir stressed that the WhatsApp number being used is not associated with Pezula Championship Course or with him personally.
“The Pezula Championship Course will never ask anyone to purchase vouchers, make payments, or send photographs of voucher codes as part of any meeting or business arrangement,” he said.
The golf course is urging members of the public not to respond to messages from the fake number, not to share any personal information, and not to make any payments.
Instead, immediately report and block the number.
Anyone wishing to verify communication from the Pezula Championship Course should contact the club directly on 044 302 5310 or send an email to [email protected].
The golf course is also encouraging residents to share this warning with family, friends and fellow business owners to prevent further losses.
“When in doubt, verify first,” Weir urged.
Anyone who has fallen victim to the scam is advised to report the matter to the police and provide all available information, including the WhatsApp messages and payment details.
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