R80K stolen in cyber fraud hit on local woman

A local businesswoman, Juliet Mukhari is devastated after losing R80 000 during an alleged cyber fraud incident in which she paid money meant for a building contractor into an alleged fraudulent account recently and hope that her ordeal will serve as warning to others.
Not only has Mukhari lost R80 000 but construction of her house has also been called to a halt because the contractor has not received his money due to the payment she made into the seemingly false account.
“I need to warn people that it is so easy to walk into a trap of a fraudster. When you realised your mistake, it is too late. People should be careful when making payments on the internet,” she said.
Mukhari explained that she had to pay R80 000 to the Centurion-based contractor for them to complete the ground work on her new house in Bendor. “I spoke to the contractor to arrange for payment last Thursday and it was not long after the call that I received an email from them saying that their banking details have changed. I never noticed anything suspicious because the format looked the same as previous email that have been exchanged between me and the contractor,” Mukhari said, adding that a fraudulent confirmation letter from a bank was also attached to the email.
She made the payment and mailed proof thereof to the construction company. The following day as well as the day after the contractor phoned to inform her that the money had not yet been cleared in his account.
“I phoned the bank who indicated that the money might take up three days to clear as it was a new account. It was only the following week that I was informed that the company does not have a new account and all payments should still be made into the usual account,” Mukhari said.
She also went to a local branch of the bank who was unable to help her with information of the owner of the so-called fraudulent account unless they have approval from the owner before opening a case with the Police.
The only explanation Mukhari has is that a third party might have logged into the phone calls and emails sent between her and the company and somehow changed the details on the emails.
“People should double check and verify all information before making payments. Even if it looks legitimate, phone the recipient to verify his banking details,” Mukhari warned.
Polokwane Police Spokesperson Lesiba Ramoshaba confirmed that a case of fraud was being investigated and warned that people should be vigilant at all times to prevent falling victim to online fraudsters.

Story: RC Myburgh
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