PINETOWN SAPS have once again put a spotlight on fraud cases with the station commander, Brigadier Leon Matthysen, saying that these are spiraling out of control.

To assist the community avoid falling prey to fraudsters, Matthysen shares the modus operandi used by criminals to scam them of their hard earned money.

He said in some of the cases that have been reported to the station, perpetrators pose as financial institution representatives.

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“The suspects call victims under false pretences, claiming to work for a certain bank and other financial institutions. The suspect asks the victims to verify their personal particulars. That makes the victim to believe that he/she is speaking to a bank representative.

“Once the victims receive the OTP number and relays it to the suspect, then money from his/her account will be transferred to the suspect’s account.”

Matthysen said another popular fraud trend is where suspects pose as buyers and sellers on Facebook (marketplace). Others withdraw cash that has been deposited by the unsuspecting victims at grocery stores or via cash send.

“The fraudsters also clone company petrol cards and purchase large litres of fuel.”

He noted that another popular scam is the fake money scam.

“Suspects would join the queue at the shops and ask for change using fake bank notes. They normally target women and the elderly people,” reported the station commander.

Matthysen also warned about the theft of cars.

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“We have many incidents where motor vehicles are taken by unknown suspects from parking lots at shopping malls / centres, business parking lots, residential parking, on the side of the road in the central business district and residential area.

“Suspects are operating during the course of the day and night by removing vehicles from residential premises as well as targeting public areas during the course of the day.

“The unknown suspects target the Toyota Fortuners, VWs, Big Boy motor cycles, Isuzu and Ford Ranger. Motor vehicles and motorcycles are stolen every day of the week, however, the majority of these crimes occur between Friday and Saturday. The most common time is 06:00-08:59 and 15:00-17:59,” warned Matthysen.

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