WHAT would you do if you received an SMS at 3pm stating that you’d be arrested at 5pm if you didn’t pay an amount of R1 500.45 into the traffic department’s account?
On Thursday, October 22, at around 3:30pm, Maxine van Buuren (67) from Birchleigh received an SMS that read: Absa bank: account holder name: Traffic Department Account number: 4054021171 Branch code: 632005 Reference: 27713365562 Fax: 0864027202 Amount: R1500.45. A case has been opened against you @SAPS for more info contact constable zwane on 0606212629
In a frantic state, she forwarded the SMS to her husband, Cornelius (69). Cornelius said his wife then called the number the SMS came from.
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“A man answered and told her she must pay the amount by 5pm, which was less than two hours away, or she would be arrested. She was in a state, thinking police would come at any minute to arrest her. It’s a terrible experience that I can’t explain,” said Cornelius.
That night Cornelius said his wife could not sleep. “She woke up the next morning at 6am and got dressed. She was very scared and kept on looking out the window,” he explained.
Cornelius took matters into his own hands and went to Kempton SAPS and the EMPD offices to confirm the validity of the message.
“The metro police said they definitely would not involve the police for a traffic fine and Kempton Park SAPS said there was no Const Zwane at the station,” he said.
This was much to the relief of his worried wife.
“I want to bring this to people’s attention so that they are aware of this scam. I want to warn people to be careful, that’s all,” he added.
