Child Welfare South Africa Roodepoort (CWSAR) is being defamed in a cruel ploy by crooks to get donations redirected to them.
A series of fraudulent email requests and letters of request are doing the rounds, sent by crooks posing as CWSAR employees, asking for donations towards a supposed Christmas party or to help disabled children.
One letter of request at first glance looks official, listing an address in Roodepoort CBD near Roodepoort City Hall, an office number and an email address. The Record’s investigation revealed none of the details are legitimate. The office number has been disconnected and trying to reach the website redirects one to a Telkom Internet page informing the website is not available. The address is that of a business block in Luttig Street, far removed from CWSAR’s official offices in Discovery.
“We are reaching out to you so you can assist us with financial assistance to be able to help these children enjoy a better life. Some of these children are born with HIV which is why they are now disabled from different ailments they suffered from, some have Cerebral Palsy and some Birth Defects or Brain damage that has caused the disability [sic],” the request reads.
They recommend either making a platinum, diamond or gold donation of R1 000, R500 or R250, payable into a Nedbank account.
A second request letter looks the same, but excludes the above paragraph. All communications from the ‘organisation’ fail to note a non-profit organisation (NPO) registration number.
“We have currently preparing for Christmas Event which the children look forward to eagerly. Your Donation will assist us in buying new clothes, a present and travelling to the venue [sic].”
CWSAR director Estelle Odendaal suspects more of these emails are doing the rounds. She shared the information with the Record, calling it “highly unacceptable” as she says the organisation is dependent on donations to do their work.
“For an organisation that works so hard to inspire residents to support our cause, this really foils our efforts and negatively affects the community’s perception of us.”
Odendaal calls for residents to ignore requests like these, sent per email or otherwise. Should community members wish to support CWSAR, she recommends phoning their offices or giving their premises a visit to get involved.
“Thank you to those individuals who continually support and carry us in our work, but please be cautious.”
Chairperson Angelique McAdam is currently receiving advice from Roodepoort Police to open a case and start an investigation, Odendaal confirmed.
Compare the following details to assure you’re not being scammed:
• Located at 45 Du Toit Street, Discovery, not a business block in Roodepoort CBD
• Available on 011 271 8700, not a disconnected 011 058— number
• Online at www.roodepoortchildwelfare.co.za, not the unavailable child-welfare.co.za address
• Logo is yellow, purple and blue “Child Welfare South Africa”, not blue and green “Child Welfare” with a doodle of a disabled girl
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