Beware online scams: Witbank SAPS urges vigilance after multiple fraud cases
Victims lose thousands to fake social media sales, unauthorised store account purchases and overseas bank deductions.
Witbank SAPS recorded a rise in fraud-related incidents in September, highlighting a growing trend of online and banking fraud targeting residents.
According to police, in the first incident, a Klipfontein woman said that on September 16 around 11:00, she received notification of an overseas purchase costing close to R20 000 being deducted from her bank account.
Although she immediately contacted her bank to stop and reverse the transaction, she said she was told staff could not assist.
Fake trailer advertisement
In another case, a resident from Del Judor fell victim to an alleged online trailer scam.
The man told police that on the evening of September 26, he saw an advertisement for a trailer on Facebook and contacted the seller.
After transferring the money into the provided account on September 28, he said he received a WhatsApp notification from his bank alerting him to suspected fraud on the transfer.
READ MORE: Witbank police probe shootings in Masakhane, Klarinet
Clothing account targeted
The third incident occurred on September 29 around 15:36, when another local resident allegedly received an SMS stating that an unusual purchase had been made on his clothing account and that the account was blocked.
When he went to the store to follow up, he discovered that several items had been purchased on his account without his knowledge or consent.
Police have opened dockets for all three incidents, and investigations are ongoing.
Police urge vigilance
Warrant Officer David Ratau urged the public to remain vigilant when buying items online and to report suspicious transactions immediately to their banks and the police station.
“People should refrain from taking shortcuts. If you are buying something from a stranger online, do not make any upfront payment, but ask them to meet with you at your nearest police station for delivery to ensure your safety,” Ratau said. “Also, when it comes to notifications and calls from people requesting personal information or payments claiming to be from your bank, do not share anything with them, but rush to your nearest branch to verify if it is legitimate.”
An e-hailing driver was held captive, forced to transfer cash and robbed of his car after picking up armed passengers in the eMalahleni CBD. https://t.co/mzpkUHcvPF #WitbankNews #eMalahleni #Carjacking #Kidnapping @WitbankN https://t.co/uFhjGWXBMP
— WitbankNews (@WitbankN) October 8, 2026
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