Gem Stones Scam

1. The gem stones scam involves 3 to 4 players, part of an illegal group of people and an innocent businessman/buyer.
    

2.  One of the players would approach the businessman, normally someone with their own business.  The player would pretend to buy a product from the businessman.  While negotiating with the businessman he would introduce him to a "deal" involving gemstones.
    

3.  The first player would then introduce the businessman to a second player.  The meeting normally takes place at Nandos or MacDonalds.  The second person would produce the gemstones to the first person.  Between the two of them they would negotiate a price for the gemstones, but it would seem as if they cannot reach an agreement.  One of the two people would suggest that they take the gemstones to a jeweller to establish the true value thereof.  During this time the businessman would be present through all the negotiations.
    

4. All three of them would then proceed to a jeweller, the third player.  The jeweller would valuate the gemstones at a very high price, e.g.. R 200 000.  The jeweller is very well dressed and normally a white male or an Indian female.  Their normal meeting place is usually at Musgrave centre or Davenport centre.
    

5. After the valuation they would leave the jeweller.  The first and second person would still be arguing about the price of the gemstones.  The second person (seller of the gemstones) would finally settle on an amount for much less than it=s worth e.g.. R 100 000.
    

6. The first person would then convince the businessman to go halves with him on the deal and that they would split the profits.  The businessman sees this as an opportunity to make some money and agrees.  His so-called new partner would ask him how much money he can raise in a short period of time, maximum of two days, to purchase the gemstones.  After an amount has been offered he would tell the businessman to meet him as soon as possible with the money for them to buy the gemstones.
    

7. The next day the first person would contact the businessman and ask him if he had raised the money yet as the seller of the gemstones might have another buyer.  As soon as the businessman has the money available they would again meet normally at Nandos or MacDonalds.  Once it is confirmed that the businessman has the money on him they would go to the parking lot at Musgrave centre or Davenport centre.  The first person would then go and look for the seller of the gemstones taking the money with him, while the businessman waits in the car.
    

8. After about 30minutes to one hour of waiting in the car the businessman realizes that his Anew partner@ is not returning and that he lost his money.
    

What to do when approached to get involved in buying gemstones:

1. Take down all personal details of the person trying to introduce you to buying gemstones, including a copy of his identity document if possible.
    

2. Report the matter to the SAPS as soon as possible.
    

3. You are allowed to take the gemstones to any jeweller of your choice, so if you are interested in buying gemstones - take it to a jeweller of your choice, not theirs.
    

4. Never pay anybody in cash for any gemstones.  Rather deposit it into a given bank account or to an attorney and once the gemstones is received can the attorney give them the money.