Counterfeit Vodacom Durban July grandstand tickets, which cost R170, are selling on the streets for as little as R30, but Gold Circle has vowed to put a stop to the race-day racket. One illegal ticket seller who was nabbed in an undercover sting operation has already made his first appearance for fraud at the Durban Magistrate’s Court. Gold Circle does not know how many counterfeit tickets are in circulation. It learnt of the ticket scam after a tip-off. The police are investigating where the dud tickets came from and Gold Circle forensic auditors are also probing the matter.
“We want to warn people about this: we don’t want them to have the wool pulled over their eyes by these con artists,” said Gill Simpkins, Gold Circle’s media liaison manager.
The Vodacom Durban July is Africa’s premier race and is expected to attract 50 000 spectators to the event on 31 July. Simpkins said after the tip-off, Gold Circle sent an undercover ticket buyer to trace the man who was selling the dud tickets in a city betting office. “The fake tickets closely resemble the genuine article, but there are distinct differences that our security staff will be able to pick up.” Gold Circle is encouraging anyone with information about the scam to get in touch with the anonymous tip-off line on 031 3141 577.
This article was published on IOL and in the Daily News on the 19th of July 2010.
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Hi Henno, My name is Wimpie Nel, a ex-captain in the Police Commercial branch and I have a forensic investigation company in Durban assisting the public who have fraud issues with regards to Junk mail ads. My cell number is 0833399395.
Hi Wimpie
We are very glad to hear that you are available to assist our clients who were defrauded. I am sure that you will receive a lot of queries from our readers.