• There is an individual in the Upper Highway area that is posing as an Estate Agent and scamming unsuspecting people wanting to rent houses. He is not a registered or licensed Estate Agent. His modus operandi is as follows: 

    He lists a legitimate house for rent using Gumtree.co.za, property.brick7.co.za as well as other internet sites. He presents a good deal with reduced rent and usually extras such as garden/pool service and DStv included. He takes an “admin fee” and as much of the deposit as he can and then disappears.

    The victims in this scam are mainly the prospective renters but the property owner is also a victim. He has been scamming people in the Durban area for a number of years and it is about time we put a stop to it.

    Another scam of his is that he will rent your property, pay for the first one or two months and then stop paying. The victims in this scam are the homeowners who are stuck with a mortgage to pay, no rental income and a "tenant" that they cannot get rid of.

    He is also known to use the following aliases:
    Mark Rowe
    Mike Rowe

    Rowe is his wife's maiden name.

     

    UPDATES BELOW - NEWEST FIRST

    UPDATE 24 FEBRUARY 2021

    Here is the story from Marc Du Plooy's most recent victim and the one who had him arrested this time.

    Marc du Plooy stayed at my guest house during December and subsequently left without paying. He had very long stories around his ex-wife running away with his kids, place where he was renting had a burst geyser, he, therefore, had to urgently get a new place. I told him because of Covid I had to cut a lot of my business expenses one of which was DSTV being disconnected. Later he came with this long story that he knew the son in law of the Hirsch family, a well-known appliance store in our area. Marc told me he and the Jackson guy, husband of Lucy Hirsch were best mates and Marc could get shop soiled smart TV’s through this Jackson guy. I thought well this might be an opportunity to get smart Tv's for my guesthouse to connect cheaper Netflix. He provided me with a bank account into which I should pay the amount. Before I did this I googled the Hirsch family and yes Lucy Hirsch’s husband seemed to be a Jackson. So unfortunately and very stupidly of me, I believed this lie, did an EFT and never received the TV’s. Marc du Plooy disappeared here on 18 December. I contacted him repeatedly, I never heard from him again. Last week I saw him driving around not far from my house. His car reg was activated on the smart cameras in our area, and he was arrested the following morning. I know of at least one other guest house not far from here that was also not paid for by him. There is also a youngster who paid an amount of R4500 for a play station also never to receive it. This youngster is having difficulties in opening his case with the police in Primrose. I spoke to a W/O last night and advised them that they should help this young man. Hopefully, by tonight he would get the right documents to them, as this would be a separate case in another jurisdiction. If needed I would go with him, I think they give him the run around as he is very young.

    Somebody from Edenvale court contacted me earlier today saying that he would like to settle his account with me. They advised me that he has been in cells for almost a week now and would like to settle as soon as possible. If I’m correct he then just walks away, without any conviction. I read your website the night this man disappeared and I was shocked when I saw his record. I do not understand how he gets away with this every time

     

    UPDATE 02 AUGUST 2016

    It appears that in this instance that Marc DuPlooy was not involved in any criminal activity. He was at the wrong place at the wrong time.

    Unfortunately for him when the restaurant involved contacted the distributor from whom the coffee was stolen they Googled Marc DuPlooy and his past came up. The police were contacted to recover the allegedly stolen coffee. Marc DuPlooys employer apparently bought the coffee from a 3rd party who got it from someone else.

    UPDATE 01 AUGUST 2016

    The infamous Marc DuPlooy has allegedly been arrested in Hillcrest again for another alleged scam, this time involving allegedly stolen coffee beans he was allegedly attempting to sell to a local restaurant.

    UPDATE 08 JUNE 2015

    New information is that Marc DuPlooy is operating a company called Isource solutions with cell number 061 348-9551 and email isourcesolutions@gmail.com. He is driving a new Chevrolet Captiva colour white with no number plates. He is apparently operating in Durban and Gauteng areas.

    If you have any information regarding Marc DuPlooy please send it via email with as much detail as possible to info@rickcrouch.co.za

    UPDATE 01 JUNE 2015

    New information is that Marc DuPlooy has scammed a number of people saying that he needed some cash for a business venture of refurbishing oil drums. He offers a substantial return on the investment within 30 days.

    UPDATE 15 MAY 2014

    New information is the Marc DuPlooy is now using the company name Urban Green Properties with an email address of comprops01@gmail.com and a cell number of 082 354 1097. A simple Google search for that cell number brings up a number of results from Gumtree.

    UPDATE 11 SEPTEMBER 2013

    I have seen documents that show Marc DuPlooy and Janine Rowe were granted a divorce on 11 September 2013

    UPDATE 02 MAY 2013

    A new case of fraud has been opened against Marc Du Plooy on 02 May 2013 at the Berea SAPS station case number CAS 20/5/2013

    UPDATE MARCH 2012

    Information is that Marc Du Plooy appeared in court and was found guilty on charges of fraud. At this time, the sentence, if any, is unknown.

    Allegedly Marc Du Plooy has had his day in court and received a monetary fine in lieu of prison time unless he defaults on the monthly payment or commits another crime. If you have been scammed by him please open a case at your nearest SAPS station.

    For more information please contact the investigating officer in Durban;
    Lt Col Baijnath Cell 0823321169

    And as crazy as it sounds Marc Du Plooy and his wife are now employed by a well known Estate Agent in the Glenwood area.

    UPDATE 18th AUGUST 2011

    Marc Du Plooy is back in the Durban area. On 18 August 2011, he attempted to check into a B & B in Morningside until the owners got suspicious, and after calling me, they evicted him.

    He is now driving a white Volvo.

    UPDATE - 3rd AUGUST 2011

    Marc Du Plooy's next court date is 10th August 2010 at the Pinetown Magistrates court

    UPDATE - 29th JULY 2011

    Marc Du Plooy is now in Pietermaritzburg

    UPDATE - 11 JULY 2011

    Marc Du Plooy was granted R20,000 bail by a magistrate on Monday 11th July 2011. He has to report to Hillcrest Police Station 3 times a week.

    UPDATE - 1 JULY 2011

    Marc Du Plooy was arrested by Hillcrest SAPS over the weekend on information from another victim. The investigating officer is a very good fraud investigator, Constable Msondo and any victims of Marc Du Plooy should call Cont Msondo and open a case. There are many, many victims.

    I applaud Hillcrest SAPS for moving so quickly on this fraudster. We have to now try and keep him off the streets.

    MEDIA NEWS REPORTS ON MARC DU PLOOY