Livestock owners in areas like Bergville, Impendle and Bulwer are allegedly being duped by scam artists masquerading as police officers.

This came to the attention of the South African Police Service (SAPS) Stock Theft Unit in KwaZulu-Natal recently.
Police spokesperson Captain Bongani Nyathi explains: “Criminals are targeting livestock owners who had fallen prey to the stock thieves by informing them that they had found and recovered their stolen livestock.

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“They pretend to be police officers from Stock Theft Unit from other province investigating their cases. They would inform the victim that their livestock has been recovered at another province but they have to deposit a certain amount of cash so that their livestock can be transported back home.”

Captain Nyathi says that the perpetrators request R2 000 or more.

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“Please beware that police will never request cash from a victim. Stock Theft Investigators will in fact assist victims and would transport them to view the recovered livestock,” he added.

“All the victims of stock theft are advised to make contact with their investigating officers as soon as they have opened a stock theft case. If they have been contacted by these criminals, they are advised to immediately contact the nearest police station or their investigating officer. Familiarise yourselves with detectives investigating your cases and do not fall prey to these fraudsters. When receiving such calls or text messages please ask the caller for the brand mark of your recovered livestock as well as their contact details and then contact police immediately,” advises Captain Nyathi.

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