Be vigilant for online fraudsters

A circular from the police’s corporate communication department sent to Die Pos says the police are very concerned about a definite increase in online crimes.

Online buying became the norm since the Covid-19 pandemic. People found it convenient and residents in rural areas had a bigger variety of products and services to choose from.

Facebook Marketplace was mentioned as a platform for concern due to the high number of people that were caught in fraudulent activities. Marketplace is a platform where any person can buy and sell products at reasonable prices. The items are limitless and the range is from property, motor vehicles, computers, and cell phones to second-hand clothes and household goods.at bargain prices.

But according to the circular, this is a breeding ground for criminals.

In the past week, a number of serious crimes related to online transactions were reported in the Winterveldt area and Loate in Gauteng.

Although no specifics were made known, the police say, victims, after being lured to a private location to change hands on a deal that was done online, were either hijacked, robbed, or murdered.

In Waterberg, the same crimes are on the increase.

“We still receive too many of these cases on a weekly basis to investigate. Our latest case was of a resident who bought a generator online, but when the person drove to where the product was to be picked up, there was no sign of the seller,” said Col Annemarie Smith, Bela-Bela detective commander.

“We find elderly people are very susceptible to these crimes. They do not hesitate to give private details to people who pose as bank officials or representatives of cellphone companies. Within minutes their bank accounts are emptied and they have no claim as they gave the information willingly to the scamsters.”

She advises people to call or visit their local branch and determine from the original source if their accounts have been tampered with.

The South African Banking Information Centre (SABRIC) said in the circular that people should stay informed about the latest banking scams and fraudster activities.

The Automobile Association (AA) cautions people who are in the market of buying a second-hand vehicle to be very vigilant. They recommend that buyers request to inspect a vehicle at a reputable service provider such as DEKRA, which issues roadworthy certificates prior to paying for said vehicle.

The South African Fraud Prevention Service (SAFPS) says online shoppers must follow their instincts. If a deal is too good to be true, it most likely is a scam.

Online buyers are encouraged to do a “reverse image search” on Google of the image that is being sold. This will reveal the original source of the image.

Arrive Alive stated that scammers do make use of genuine images, but ultimately for fraudulent advertisement.

Buying items from street vendors is another concern. On numerous occasions, people in Bela-Bela were robbed after shopping at informal stalls.

The police warn buyers to not go to a remote location and meet up with potential buyers or sellers as the risk is too high and will make them more vulnerable.

The following tips from the police should always be kept in mind:

• Avoid communicating with buyers or sellers outside Facebook.
• Don’t share your personal information, such as banking details.
• If you are meeting a buyer or seller in person, arrange to meet in a public and well-lit area or at the nearest police station.
• Research the buyer or seller by visiting their private Facebook profile. If their profile was created recently, it must be considered as an early warning to be alert.