SAPS warns residents of SMS scam
When the victims responded to the SMS, they were informed that a warrant of arrest had been issued for a traffic fine and that they needed to pay a certain amount.
THE South African Police Service (SAPS) has warned the public of a scam in which victims receive a text message stating that a SAPS case has been opened against them. Once victims respond to the numbers that are provided by the fraudsters, money is extorted from them.
The scam came to the police’s attention after a case was reported in Rosebank, Johannesburg in January. It was followed by other cases with the same modus operandi that were reported in the Western Cape, KwaZulu-Natal, the Free State, North West and Limpopo.
“The victims received an SMS stating that a SAPS case had been opened against them and that they had to contact a Cst Baloyi on 060 800 8148. Other random names and different contact numbers were also given,” said the SAPS.
When the victims responded to the SMS, they were informed that a warrant of arrest had been issued for a traffic fine and that they needed to pay a certain amount which had to be deposited into an FNB account with number 6201 7066 201 or ABSA account number 4054 021 171.
You can contact Det Lt DK Hattingh of the National Investigation Unit (NINU) on 079 695 0293 or e-mail hattingdebbie@saps.gov.za.
