THE festive season is fast approaching, and criminals have started fishing for victims to scam online.
As a result, police have issued a warning to the public to be more vigilant against phishing scams, internet fraud, online intellectual property infringements and cyberstalking as these were commonly practised by fraudsters.
According to Brigadier Selvy Mohlala, the warning comes after allegations emerged of a woman who reportedly met a male friend via social media.
“The victim is said to have believed everything the fraudster told her as he sounded legit, and the two became close to a point where he promised to send a gift. Later on, a woman, believed to be an accomplice, allegedly called her. She told her that she was working for a courier company and had a delivery for her,” Mohlala said in a statement.
He added that for the parcel to be delivered, the victim had to pay an upfront amount of R1 850.
“Due to excitement, the money was paid. The woman called again and further demanded R6 000, of which the victim paid R3 000,” he said.
Mohlala said no gifts were delivered to the victim and the fraudsters disappeared as their cellphones had been off since the transaction.
A case of fraud was registered at Mhluzi Police Station on 5 November, and is under investigation.
