Property Fraud

I went on property24, and I found an apartment that I wanted to rent. I then contacted the agent, which was Align Property. I talked to the agent Siya who said that everything was in order and that I should pay my deposit which was R14 000 at the time. I then paid the deposit, and after that, I struggled to get the lease agreement out of him. I then started to think that it might be a scam, so I contacted property24 and the EAAB, and they assured me that Align property was legit and that they had all the papers. I then wanted to go and visit them so that I could meet the guys face to face, but I couldn't find them at their address where they say that they are located on their website. I then made a few calls and found out that they applied for office space where they say they are located, but their application was denied. I then started to panic because this was a week before I needed to move in on the 1st of February 2022. I then called the agent(Siya) again and explained the urgency of the matter and that I needed the lease agreement and the keys to the new apartment. Then three days before I needed to move into the new apartment and out of my old one. He then told me that he could not help me anymore and that I should make another plan. I then launched a complaint with the EAAB. He then called me angrily and said that I should withdraw the complaint or he would get lawyers and drag the case on for three years. I then withdrew my complaint. He then said that I would have my money back before April 2022. I still don't have my money back. If you want an agency that you can hold accountable, this one is not it. I'm also very unhappy with property24 that they allow such agencies on their platform, and when something like this happens, they tell you that they can do nothing about it, and all they need to do is check if the agency is registered with the EAAB. Be wise, do your homework first, and do not assume that respectable companies like Property24 will do the work for you.