The SAPS has issued a warning to the public about a growing vishing scam whereby fraudsters are misusing the SAPS name, logo and even the names of senior officers to con unsuspecting citizens into handing over money or personal information.

According to Lieutenant Colonel Amanda van Wyk, the scammers distribute fake letters, often shared via WhatsApp , designed to look official, complete with SAPS insignia and genuine police names to appear legitimate.

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In some cases, the fraudsters even reference non-existent police stations in their correspondence.

“The SAPS can confirm that no police station exists in Green Point, Cape Town,” Van Wyk said, adding that this is one of several examples of false information being circulated.

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Victims have also reported receiving intimidating phone calls from people posing as police officers.

The callers falsely claim that a criminal case has been opened against the victim and then demand money to make the supposed case disappear.

Police have emphasised that the organisation will never ask members of the public to pay money to cancel or withdraw a case.

The SAPS also does not conduct official communication through WhatsApp or video calls.

Community members are urged to stay alert and follow safety tips:

• Do not respond to suspicious calls, letters or messages
• Never share or confirm personal details such as ID numbers, home addresses or banking details
• Do not send money to anyone claiming to be a police officer in exchange for clearing a case

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Anyone with information that could assist in identifying those behind the scam is encouraged to report it to their nearest police station.

Residents can report crime by calling the Crime Stop at 086 001 0111, or use the MySAPS App to leave an anonymous tip-off.