The police in Richards Bay have cautioned the public to remain vigilant when receiving requests from friends or family members asking for financial assistance, particularly when instructed to send money through cash send or similar services.

The Zululand Observer reported that daily cases are being reported to the SAPS, where criminals gain unauthorised access to individuals’ cellphone numbers and messaging platforms.

The most common social media platform being used is WhatsApp.

Once access is obtained, perpetrators impersonate the victim and contact people on their contact list, often claiming to be in an emergency and urgently requesting money.

In many cases, victims are persuaded to transfer funds through cash send services, which are difficult to trace or reverse once the transaction is complete.

People are strongly advised not to act on such requests without first verifying their authenticity.

It is recommended to contact the person directly via phone call or using an alternative method of communication to confirm the request is legitimate.

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