The Zambian High Commission in South Africa has reported that five Zambian nationals, among them civil servants, farmers and businessmen have been swindled in Pretoria through various online payment systems.

First Secretary for Press and Public Relations at the Zambian High Commission in that country Naomi Nyawali confirmed the development, Wednesday, revealing that the victims had been swindled monies amounting to over 185,000 South African Rands.

She stated that victims who were swindled on different occasions while trying to purchase various goods online, had since reported to the High Commission in Pretoria.

“According to the documentation made available to the Zambian High Commission in Pretoria, one of the five people lost over R100,000, which was paid for the purchase of a second-hand John Deere tractor and trailer. Others lost various amounts of R45,000 and about R6,000 meant for purchases of motor vehicles and Turkey birds respectively,” Nyawali disclosed.

And Zambia’s High Commissioner to South Africa Emmanuel Mwamba warned all would-be online buyers of goods from that country to verify the existence of the companies they intend to do business with before making any payments.

The Envoy revealed that the Mission in Pretoria had been overwhelmed with reports of Zambians being swindled while trying to purchase goods from that country.