Dead domestic worker scam resurfaces
Police have urged residents to not deposit any money unless the death has been confirmed.
THE ‘dead’ domestic worker scam has resurfaced and Westville SAPS has urged residents to be aware of how scamsters operate.
This is a scam where an employer receives a call from a person who claims to be a relative of their domestic worker.
ALSO READ: Beware of your online activities as cyber scams increase
The scammer will inform them that their domestic worker has died and they need money for the funeral.
The fraudster will then provide the employer with an account into which the money must be deposited. Once the employer have done so, the fraudster will simply disappear with the money.
Westville SAPS communications officer, Capt Elizabeth Squires said they have received numerous cases of how a victim is contacted by a family member of the domestic worker asking for financial assistance for funeral arrangements.
“The ‘family member’ is quite convincing by knowing the deceased’s personal particulars,” said Squires
She urged the community to confirm the death with other family members or friends before depositing the money.
Caxton Local Media Covid-19 reporting
Dear reader, As your local news provider, we have the duty of keeping you factually informed on Covid-19 developments. As you may have noticed, mis- and disinformation (also known as “fake news”) is circulating online. Caxton Local Media is determined to filter through the masses of information doing the rounds and to separate truth from untruth in order to keep you adequately informed. Local newsrooms follow a strict pre-publication fact-checking protocol. A national task team has been established to assist in bringing you credible news reports on Covid-19. Readers with any comments or queries may contact National Group Editor Irma Green (irma@caxton.co.za) or Legal Adviser Helene Eloff (helene@caxton.co.za).