The South African Police Service (SAPS) warns the public of yet another scam, which has reared its head. This is how the fraudulent scam operates; victims receive a SMS stating that a case has been filed against them.
Once the victim responds to the number the SMS was received from, money is extorted from them. In one such case a victim received a SMS requesting them to contact Constable Baloyi on 060 800 8148 as a case was registered against them.
When the victim responded to the SMS, they were informed that a warrant of arrest has been issued for a traffic fine and they need to pay a certain sum of money. The person is instructed to deposit the cash into a First National Bank (FNB) account or Amalgamated Banks of South Africa (ABSA) account.
Other random and sometimes non-existent names and various contact numbers are also used. The scam first came to the attention of police in January this year, after a case was reported in Rosebank, Gauteng.
Other cases soon followed using the same modus operandi, reported in the Western Cape, Free State, North West, KwaZulu-Natal and Limpopo.
You are urged not to fall for this scam. If you have received a SMS of this nature report it to your nearest police station.
Alternatively contact Detective Lieutenant DK Hatting from the National Investigation Unit (NINU) on 079 695 0293or email- hattingdebbie@saps.gov.za
