Beware online scammers this festive season
Often victims get scammed out of large amounts of cash and struggle to identify the perpetrators.
Over the past few weeks, several complaints regarding online scammers have been reported in Pretoria Central SAPS, said police spokesperson Constable Thabang Nkumise.
“The station would like the community to be more cautious when considering to purchase or perform transactions online,” he said.
Scams can happen in a myriad of ways such as social media, via emails, software and SMS that are constantly received on private cellphones.
Often victims get scammed out of large amounts of cash and struggle to identify the perpetrators.
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Nkumise said the most popular online scams are:
– Make money easy group scams.
– Investments (normally a consumer will receive an anonymous call urging them to invest money and promising better interests).
– Online shopping
– Online banking
– Online vehicle dealers.
Nhumise urged people not to transfer money before verifying the sites.
Earlier this month, Wonderboompoort police spokesperson Constable Mandlakayise Zwane said Moot residents lost thousands of rands owing to an increase in cybercrimes.
In one incident, a 37-year-old woman was defrauded of R2 000 after she had deposited it into a bank account of a stranger who had advertised a two-bedroom apartment for rent online.
Police said cybercrime levels often increased towards and during the festive season where almost everyone needed money.
For emergencies or to report a crime, call 10111 or contact your nearest police station. If you know of any criminal activities or want to report a crime anonymously, you can contact Crime Stop – 08600 10111
Alternative Fraud hotline: SACAA free call: 0800 997 263, SMS 33490 and email sacaa@whistleblowing.co.za
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