MALALANE – Police received several complaints from grant recipients that a woman pretending to be a Sassa official approached them and requested their cards. She then said the cards would be suspended or would soon not be working and exchanged them for “new” cards. These turned out to be fake duplicates.
The victims later found out that she had withdrawn their grant money with the real cards.
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Police decided to set up a sting operation at the payment kiosk in Malalane SUPERSPAR on Thursday and Friday. They managed to catch her.
Sgt Bheki Nkosi, of Malalane SAPS, said that vigilant security guards at the shopping complex were instrumental in the suspect’s arrest.
She was expected to appear in the Malalane Periodical Court on Monday.
Sassa grant recipients are cautioned not to hand over their cards to anyone unless they can prove that they are official employees.
Recipients were required to exchange their old Sassa cards for the new gold ones in December or risk not receiving their grants in January. When in doubt about whether your Sassa card is outdated, visit the local Sassa or Post Office for assistance.
READ about a job scam earlier this year: Job seekers targeted by scammers impersonating SAPS, municipal officials
Nkosi also warned grant recipients to be very careful when withdrawing their money at pay points. Many criminals target these areas or elderly persons heading back from withdrawing all of their cash.
Recipients are reminded that they do not have to withdraw all of their cash, as they can swipe their cards at most major retailers.
