SAPS stakeholders’ meeting puts fraud and scams in the spotlight
Many people fall for online or phishing scams, so much so that it is becoming a worrying trend.
From paying for goods bought on social media platforms with counterfeit cash to selling fake discounted electricity units, scams are the biggest concern for the Brakpan SAPS presently.
The station has warned the public not to pay for goods bought on social media without first seeing them in person.
Last Wednesday, at the monthly stakeholders’ meeting at the Thabong Conference Venue, other concerns arose.
Anything that seems too good to be true or like a major bargain is most likely a scam. Always make online purchases through reputable portals and stores, and cautiously make social media purchases.
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The mining forum also said it is illegal to buy unrefined precious metals from individuals and that there is a growing trend of selling fake precious metals to unsuspecting people and defrauding them of large amounts of money.
Some scammers make large purchases in cash but pay with counterfeit bills. The top few bills in a stack are usually genuine to fool the seller, but the rest are fraudulent.
In terms of the crime overview provided by Captain Pieter Booysen, problem crimes identified this month include common assault, assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, business robberies, theft of motor vehicles and fraud and scams.
Truck and car hijackings are also a problem but should decrease now that the SAPS has arrested an active blue-light gang.
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These criminals travel in cars fitted with blue lights and sirens and dress up as police officers to hijack vehicles.
Burglaries at homes and businesses should decrease, thanks to the arrest of six individuals caught in the act of a business burglary.
These individuals are suspected to be responsible for many robberies and burglaries. Vehicle theft happens frequently at school sports events when cars are left unattended for several hours.
The Brakpan CBD is also a hotspot for vehicle thefts. Infrastructure-related crimes are primarily in the Withok and Dennepoort areas, with substations in particular targeted.
