Mpumalanga police issue warning against social media fraudsters

The Mpumalanga police have issued a warning to social media users to be aware of criminals who use these platforms to target unsuspecting victims.

The warning comes after a 23-year-old man from the Kingdom of eSwatini reportedly lured his victims, by using one of the social media platforms, to have a love relationship with him.

According to a provincial police spokesperson, Brigadier Selvy Mohlala, the accused would arrange to meet his victims in a secluded area where he allegedly robbed them of their belongings and raped them afterwards.

“The incidents were reported to the police and the dockets assigned to a team of investigators from the Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit (FCS) in Pienaar, who investigated and discovered there was a possible serial rapist on the loose. They traced and arrested the man in Matsulu in September 2021. The accused was charged for contravention of the Immigration Act after it was discovered that he did not have valid documents to be in South Africa, as well as four counts of rape and three for robbery,” Mohlala said.

Some items belonging to the victims whom he had robbed, were found in his possession during his arrest. “It was then uncovered in the tour of the investigation that the victims were mainly enticed through social media platforms,” Mohlala said.

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His next court appearance will be in the Matsulu Periodical Court tomorrow.

Mohlala further outlined there are fraud cases opened whereby people were previously scammed of their hard-earned cash either through lucrative deals, false competitions, buying of cars and other expensive items.

“Police are calling on the public to be wary of these individuals and not entertain them. These people always seek new ways to defraud victims of their money. They even go to an extent of informing some victims that there is an inheritance left by an unknown family member.

“In the process, they would entice their victims to pay a certain amount, claiming to be for administration purposes for the funds to be released. The same dirty tricks they use to lure victims of false competitions. When such money shall have been transferred to the suspects, they cease to communicate with the victims,” Mohlala said.

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He advised the public to always use social media cautiously and report any suspicious activities.