SCAMMERS are giving actress Jessica Nkosi a massive headache.
According to the 32-year-old actress, who plays Thando on The Queen, there are people selling Bitcoin who are pretending to be her online. In a statement through her management company, she warned people not to fall for the scam.
“It has come to our attention that a number of social media accounts purporting to be that of Jessica Nkosi have taken to misleading, defrauding and misrepresenting themselves to innocent members of the public.
“Miss Nkosi is neither involved in nor advertising Bitcoin or any form of cryptocurrency,” read part of the statement.
The statement further shared that the former Isibaya actress is deeply sorry for those who have fallen victim to the scam.
“Jessica empathises with all those who have fallen victim to this scam and urges them to approach the nearest cyber-crime authority in their area to bring the relevant parties to justice,” she said.
ALSO READ: MUSICIANS Speedy and Spikiri have been scammed of cash
According to News24, the AbaThembu King Buyelekhaya Dalindyebo spokesman, Prince Mthunzi Ngonyama, was scammed by a person using the pictures and name of actress Jessica Nkosi convinced him to invest in Bitcoin for a great profit he never received.
This after the suspect initiated a chat on Instagram before the two decided to exchange contact numbers.
According to the publication Ngonyama was promised an astronomical gain of more than R430 000 within 48 hours after paying the R15 000 but "Jessica Nkosi" and an associate she introduced to Ngonyama as an "expert Bitcoin trader" failed to deliver on their promise.
Instead, they kept asking him for money to free up the "secured" cash.
"I went through her pictures and videos and all her posts on Instagram and even the account appeared to be legit. When I raised my concerns that she could be a scammer, she asked me to explain all those videos showing Jessica Nkosi posted on the Instagram account."
Giving details of how the alleged scam happened, he said: "Firstly, I was told that upon deposit of R3 000 within 48 hours, I can withdraw an amount of R33 000 upon receipt of the money to their account.
ALSO READ:Scammer targets Soshanguve’s popular club
"Then, I was told that the returns on my investment have far exceeded their expectations to the value of R145 000."
Ngonyama said at this stage, the two told him to deposit another R12 000 for the purchase of a "classical account software" which would make it possible for him to access the cash using a cellphone app.
He added he deposited it after the duo assured him there would be no further complications or requests for more deposits from him.
Eastern Cape police spokesperson Warrant Officer Majola Nkohli confirmed to News 24 that they were investigating a case of fraud. Nkohli said no arrests have been made yet and the investigation was continuing
ALSO READ | Life-size statue to honour Zola 7
Jessica is not the only celebrity who has been a victim of cyber criminals.
Several stars including Somizi, Nomcebo Zikode and Shauwn Mkhize have also fallen victim.
Their numbers were hacked and the scammers asked those close to them for money.
Previously speaking to Daily Sun, cyber security specialist Shaun Phakade said celebrities are often targeted as they are looked at to have good financial standing. He said they can protect themselves by investing in cyber security apps that will search for malicious things on their phones.
The People’s Paper reached out to Jessica’s manager, Livy Seboko, for comment, but he said Jessica was not available for comment as she was shooting the whole day.
He also said their legal team had advised them not to comment on this matter.
