Fraudsters are targeting the North West Province, with an increase in scams hitting Rustenburg, Hartbeespoortdam, Lichtenburg, and Klerksdorp, leaving residents exposed to deceptive schemes and financial losses.
The South African Police Service (SAPS) has issued a warning about the scams, which target naïve victims throughout the province.
The scammers employ a variety of tactics, including impersonating bank employees and duping people into conducting fake automobile transactions.
A notable and frightening scam reported in Hartbeespoortdam featured scammers calling bank account holders and posing as representatives from the bank’s fraud department.
“The caller requested the account holders to urgently log on to their bank App in order to stop fraudulent transactions. Consequent to accessing the details, the suspect withdrew monies from the victim’s accounts,” said police spokesperson, Brigadier Sabata Mokgwabone.
In another example, also recorded in Hartbeespoortdam, a victim received a message claiming to be the beneficiary of a deceased relative overseas.
The scammers induced the victim to pay taxes and clearance fees before receiving their inheritance. Following payment, the fraudsters stopped communicating with the victim, and the promised inheritance was never delivered.
Vehicle fraud is also on the rise, with customers duped by exaggerated car discounts advertised on social media platforms such as WhatsApp, Facebook, and online marketplaces.
To combat the wave of scams, police have issued several safety tips and urged residents to remain vigilant.
– If a call appears to be suspicious, hang up and contact your bank’s fraud line. A legitimate bank employee will never request a One Time Password (OTP).
– Never disclose personal information such as your ID, password, or PIN.
“Be careful of something that looks too good to be true, it usually is,” said Mokgwabone.
