Submitted by one of our readers

Malawian Tanzanite Scam

The scam is run by black guys going by the names of Richard Banda, Oscar Banda, Anthony Banda etc. They portray to work with white skelems Patrick Williams, Mnr Fourie, Mnr Tu Toit etc in order to legitimize their "business". They operate throughout Joburg eg Illovo, Bedfordview (Key West, Village View, Eastgate Mall etc). I also hear the scam is spreading as far as Potchefstroom in the North West. Their modus operandi (MO) is to target and betray the trust of entrepreneurs who are looking for business opportunities. They claim to be looking for a SA business partner in order to receive imported goods from Zambia, Malawi etc. The story will go as far as they will need you to assist them by using your money as a deposit to release the goods (Container) from the supplier to the client. The promise is that you will get your money back plus "commission" as soon as the client make the payment. They lure their victims by showing fake tanzanite.

Warning: Potential victims should resist any such "get-rich-quick-schemes" or even "investing" their money.