VRYHEID KZN: Family almost falls prey to social media scam

Lockdown has placed financial strain on many people’s pockets, which causes desperation when a potential ‘carrot’ is being dangled in front of your nose. This is how a local family almost fell prey to a social media scam. You read about it on Facebook or hear how it happens to strangers, but never did this family think it could happen to them too. The family requested to remain anonymous, but they would like to share their experience in an attempt to warn the rest of the community that scams like these are very real indeed. “We are in extreme financial difficulties,” one of the family members confirmed. She explained that she received a message on her Facebook Messenger application from their ‘cousin’ in Australia. In the message, it stated that she had won a lot of money and that her name was on a list. She communicated with the ‘cousin’ in disbelief, but he was very convincing in telling her that his name was also on the list. The message indicated that she had to send her name to a WhatsApp number and they would in turn send her the list with the winning names on it. Her name was indeed listed at number six on the list, while the ‘cousin’s’ name was number 13. Her instincts told her it was a scam, but the ‘cousin’ was once again convincing and she contacted the given number. She supplied them with all her personal details, including banking details, but not her PIN number. She was told that she had won R7.4 million. As she explained, they are in financial difficulty and upon hearing the amount of money, her brain shut down. “I didn’t think any further, since I saw this as our saving grace.” But they asked her to pay R32,000 to claim her winnings. She suggested that they subtract the money from her winnings, but they informed her that it wouldn’t be possible to do it that way. She contacted the ‘cousin’ once again and he confirmed that he had paid the money and within 24 hours had received his winnings. “It didn’t raise any concern in my mind, because I was too excited about the money.” She paid the money by depositing two cheques into a banking account in Rosebank. The following day, her son contacted her to say it was indeed a scam and that he had discovered two profiles on Facebook of the ‘cousin’ – a real profile and a fake one. She immediately cancelled the two cheques. Fortunately, she managed to get her money back. “I’ve learned a very expensive lesson, and it’s something that can happen to anyone.” She told the Herald that people must confirm their family relations before trusting anyone on Facebook. They opened a case of fraud at the local police station and Captain Venter confirmed that scams like these are not uncommon.

Captain C Venter (SAPS) gives a few tips on how to avoid possible social media fraud:

– When it sounds too good to be true, it is too good to be true.

– When you purchase a vehicle online, go and look at the vehicle in person before paying any money.

– When you are told to pay money to receive money, it is a scam.

– When sending money to family, avoid using a third party. Use an ATM for ‘cash send’ or use a cell-phone application.

– Never provide a stranger with your personal information, especially your Identity Number and banking PIN number.

– Cyber crimes are escalating, of which extortion seems to be top of the list. Don’t fall prey to these crimes.

– Make sure your Facebook settings are private.

– When you make an EFT payment, close your account after each payment and re-open it again to make another payment. The longer your banking website is open, the easier it is to hack your account. This might seem time-consuming, but will save you a lot of money.

– Never ask for assistance at an ATM, unless it’s the security guard or an employee from the bank. When you are pushed aside at the ATM, immediately press the cancellation button a few times.

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