DURBAN North SAPS has warned residents about a fake message circulating on social media purporting to be from a ‘Tactical Officer’ from a security company warning of a new criminal modus operandi. The man claims that criminals were targeting motorists by asking if they can ‘cut in front of them in traffic’ as a ruse before robbing or hijacking them.
He further claims four cases have been reported in the La Lucia and uMhlanga areas.
Capt Raymond Deokaran, spokesman for the Durban North SAPS said the message was fabricated.
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“This was brought to my attention by local resident Kyle van Reenen and we want to say this is patently untrue. This message has been spreading on WhatsApp and it is causing unnecessary panic and fear. We want to warn people to stop sharing it. Rather call your local police station to verify the information before sharing it,” he said.
In June false messages of a kidnapping syndicate operating in KwaMashu was blamed for an upsurge in violent crime which led to several foreign owned shops being torched and looted.
According to police, sharing fake news stories online and spreading false information could lead to criminal charges against the perpetrators.
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