Sergeant Heinreich Bester of the Boksburg North SAPS expressed his disappointment in the police when it comes to protecting its members against SAPS impersonators extorting money from the public.
Bester has been the target of an online scam for the past four years.
The scamster is sending WhatsApp messages to people, pretending to be a police officer by using a photo of Bester in his SAPS uniform as the profile picture, and stating a case of sexual harassment (for example) has been opened against them.
The fraudster claims to be Officer John Smith of the Boschkop SAPS and goes on to demand money to be able to help the victim “get out of the mess”.
It appears the person is sending these types of messages to many people in the hopes that somebody will take the bait.
Bester explained the photograph of him that is being used was taken for a company that donated to the police station and the station’s spokesperson at the time was aware of it.
It is believed that the person sending the messages got hold of the photo online or on social media.
A suspect was arrested in connection with the scam last year, however, Bester was informed by Boksburg North SAPS detectives that the case was closed because they could not get hold of the person who reported the alleged scamster.
“SAPS is not doing enough to protect its members against stuff like this. At least I haven’t received any information of my photo being used for the past six months now,” added Bester.
Furthermore, Bester warned police officers to be careful as having your identity taken can make your life difficult.
The Advertiser approached the Hawks, who has been investigating these types of scams, for comment but none was received by time of publication.
Victim speaks out
A local doctor, who wished to remain anonymous, was also the victim of a scam involving police impersonators.
The doctor’s wife received a telephone call early September 2022 from a person claiming to be a police officer wanting to speak to her husband. The wife gave the man her husband’s number.
“He said that I had been implicated by a prostitute in Hillbrow in a rape case. I apparently had sex with her, paid her in false dollars and that she had then laid a charge of rape. I asked the exact date and time and explained to him that I was in fact at home with my wife at that time.
“He said it didn’t matter as they would still have to arrest me but he could make the case go away and pay her off if I just paid him R10 000 by e-wallet. I said I would find out how to use the e-wallet and get back to him.
“I then phoned a lawyer friend who confirmed that it was a scam and then was given the number of an officer with Benoni SAPS who also confirmed it was a scam,” the doctor explained.
He said the person continued to try and bug him until he blocked his number.
“I got a follow-up call the next day from a person claiming to be a gender-based violence officer from the child protection unit saying that he was following up on the case. I blocked the caller. I sent the numbers a message with a screenshot showing the scam and eventually they left me alone.
“My female colleague had similar call which stated Buffelshoek SAPS but as soon as they heard she was female they put the phone down. Another friend of mine in Durban had a similar situation where they tried to extort money from him and he also told them to take a short hike.”
The doctor said it was confirmed to him they were people who were phoning from inside a jail trying to extort money.
“I think that people should be warned about this extortion concept. The perpetrators have obviously have been through the criminal justice system and know how it works and so make it sound very plausible.”
Tips from specialised private investigator
Mike Bolhuis, head of SSS Specialist Investigators, warns the public to remain vigilant as cybercrimes are still a massive issue,
Bolhuis explained there are many ways scamsters can extort money out of people. He said there are SAPS impersonators and corrupt cops who try to extort money. Most of times it is police impersonators.
“South Africa just don’t have the capacity to deal with these cybercrimes. In many cases people are too embarrassed to open a case at the police station because you have to bring evidence with you. We handle the matter in a private and professional manner.”
He highlighted that men are mostly the target of sextortion, warning men to stay away from sex sites.
Bolhuis further advised people to be cyber wise.
“Know your phone like the palm of your hand. Ensure your anti-virus and such programmes are updated. Don’t open links and items if you don’t know what it is.”
More red flags to look out for, according to Bolhuis:
• Incorrect grammar and spelling mistakes in WhatsApp messages.
• Photos used have been digitally manipulated.
• The moment the police impersonators ask for money for the case to disappear, it is clearly an extortion scam.
“These criminals thrive on personal information and photos of their victims. Once they have you, they have you.”
For more information about the scams, visit https://mikebolhuis.co.za/
Also Read: Watch: No-nonsense Bolhuis talks security at ERBW meeting
Also Read: Local police officer’s photo being used in extortion scam
