MBOMBELA – The Department of Trade and Industry (dti), in conjunction with the SAPS and provincial liquor authorities, warns the public of a scam targeting liquor-licence holders.
“The National Liquor Authority (NLA) of the dti has received a number of queries related to suspicious WhatsApp and SMS messages in which both the national and provincial licence holders are requested to deposit money into a certain account for the renewal of their licences,” explained Sidwell Medupe, spokesperson for the department.
He said the messages were sent from 082-0072-292-88038 and reads as follows:
“Payment reminder: Liquor License admin fee is outstanding with R250.00 for the year 2016. Payment is due before 01 Sept 2016 to prevent penalties or suspension. Payment or Deposit must be made to: Liquor AST SA Bank: FNB ACC: 62632838671. REF: License or Permit Number.
According to Medupe, the department has since launched an investigation into the matter.
“We confirm that we have no licence categories that require an annual renewal fee of R250.
“The SMS number 082-007-2292-88038 is not a number allocated to the department and such messages have not been circulated from this office; and the banking details as shown in the SMS are not the ones used by the NLA,” he explained.
Medupe indicated that the scam was largely operating in Gauteng, however, it had come to the attention of the department that the scam was spreading to other provinces.
Hence, the dti and the police saw the need to heighten awareness of these fraudulent activities to the prospective registrants and the citizens of the country at large.
Anyone who has received such messages, is advised to contact the dti call centre on 086-1843-384 or send an email to nationalliquorauthority@thedti.gov.za.
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