Beware of vehicle recovery scams
Norkem Park SAPS appeals to the public to be vigilant if they have been a victim of hijacking or have had their vehicles stolen.
Victims of hijackings and vehicle theft have become the target of extortion by scammers.
Sgt Barbara Ferreira, the spokesperson for Norkem Park Police Station, said scammers are targeting victims of hijacking and car theft as a way of trying to extort money from them.
The scammers phone the victim, claiming they are an officer assigned to the case and that they have found the vehicle either in another province or country.
They then demand the victim pay them a fee to get back their vehicle.
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“This is one of the latest ways scammers extort money from people who are desperate to get their vehicles back,” said Ferreira.
“Norkem Park SAPS appeals to the public to be vigilant if they have been a victim of hijacking or have had their vehicles stolen and are waiting for feedback on their vehicle. You will only ever collect your vehicle from a vehicle impound after you have positively identified it. You don’t have to pay police, a vehicle impound or even a towing company before your vehicle is released to you.
“When you open a case at your police station, you receive an SMS notification with your case number and then a follow-up SMS advising who your investigating officer is. This officer will now be the only person you should speak to about your case.”
If a person other than the investigating officer calls, take down their details and report it to the police as soon as possible.
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