POLOKWANE – THE Mankweng police is looking for a man known only as Andrew William, who allegedly defrauded a 51-year-old man of R2 000 in cash on February 6.

According to Const Matimba Maluleke, the complainant received an SMS from the suspect, saying he had won R250 000 in cash and he must contact “William” in order to claim the prize.

“When the complainant called, he was urged to deposit R2 000 so that he can redeem the prize,” said Maluleke.

He said the man waited for the money he allegedly won to be deposited into his account, but it never happened.

“People must ignore messages that claim they have

won money in competitions they did not enter”

Maluleke said when the complainant realised that the transaction was taking longer than what he had initially agreed on with “William”, he then called back only to find that the telephone number did not exist.

Maluleke warned people to be cautious when they received SMS’s claiming they had won prizes.

“People must ignore messages that claim they have won money in competitions they did not enter.”

He said although it might be tempting to respond, people must be wise, because one may end up revealing their personal information to strangers, putting their lives at risk. Maluleke said the police had opened a case of fraud, but no arrests had not been made yet. He urged anyone with information to contact the nearest police station.