Police cannot confirm alleged scam involving cellphone data
The scammers allegedly go into the victim’s bank account and transfer money using the cashsend system.
Police could not confirm whether a voice clip currently being circulated on social media about a new data scam, was true.
SAPS provincial spokesperson Capt Kay Makhubela told Express he has heard the clip.
“Although I have received the clip, I have not heard of any cases or reports of people being victim to the scam,” said Makhubela.
“Having said that, we can’t rule out the fact that it doesn’t exist as we have had reports of people complaining about money being withdrawn from their bank accounts by unknown people. We, therefore urge people to always be careful and never allow anyone to use or take your phone and personal belongings.”
In the voice clip, a man, who claims to be W/O Du Plessis, warns people of this alleged scam.
According to him, there are people who stand at shopping centres and claim to be representatives of Vodacom and that they are running a 5GB data special.
“They remove your sim card, write down your IMI number and tell you not to switchon your cellphone for two hours in order for the data to ‘register’,” says the alleged warrant officer.
He goes on to say in the two hours while the phone is off, the scammers go into the victim’s bank account and transfer money, using the cashsend system. The victim allegedly only discovers this hours later as the phone was off.
Although it is unclear at which police station the alleged warrant officer works, he also alleges on the clip that he has numerous dockets of where people have lost money, including an entire salary in some cases.
Byron Kennedy, spokesperson for Vodacom, said: “Vodacom has been in contact with the police and can confirm that the person who made the voice note is not who he claims to be. It is important to note that Vodacom does not promote doctor’s appointments alongside data bundles.
“Criminals also cannot simply access your bank account by doing a fraudulent SIM swap. They will first need to know what your internet banking passwords are to make cash send payments from your bank account.”
Information has been updated since first published.
