The South African Police Service (SAPS) is urging the public to stay alert against online scams, particularly on marketplace platforms where deals may appear ‘too good to be true’.

Online scams targeting buyers

In a recent awareness campaign, SAPS highlighted that fraudsters often entice buyers with attractive prices on goods advertised online. Victims are then pressured to make payments via bank transfers or deposits before seeing or receiving the items — only to discover later that the deal was a scam.

Safety tips for online purchases

Police advise consumers to always verify the seller’s details and use reputable websites when making online purchases. Whenever possible, transactions should be concluded in person after confirming the legitimacy of the goods.

Tips provided by SAPS to avoid falling victim include:

• Check the seller’s profile and reviews.
• Don’t believe “too good to be true” offers.
• Use trustworthy payment options.
• Avoid scanning QR codes when receiving money.
• Think carefully before depositing money if you have not seen the items or the seller is not trusted.

Reporting suspicious activity