Police have warned residents to be vigilant after a recent spike in commercial crimes, mostly online.
Sandy Schuter, Strandfontein Community Police Forum chair, said many people are failing prey to online schemes.
“Strandfontein residents are being warned about the growing threat of online scams, with many falling prey to these schemes. Scammers are using various tactics to part victims from their hard-earned money. It’s essential to be aware of these threats to protect yourself,” Schuter said.
She said that one common con involved scammers claiming to be from a bank. They would ask for personal and sensitive information, and instructing victims to access their banking app. They then ask for CVV and OTP numbers. This allows them to drain the victim’s account, often before the victim even realises what’s happening.
Many people are also falling prey to fake deals on social media marketplaces. Scammers post ads for cars, cellphones, and properties at unbelievably low prices. They request immediate payment via platforms that make it difficult to trace the scammer or other payment methods. They also don’t allow the buyer to inspect the product. The post is removed and the scammer disappears once payment is made.
“We’re sitting with an ongoing problem in Strandfontein where our residents are falling prey,” said Captain J Antonie, Strandfontein police station commander. “It’s hard to see our community, especially our elderly, lose their hard-earned savings through scammers. I want to caution the community of Strandfontein to be extra vigilant. Before you do anything, rather verify and consult with a trusted second person, be it a family member or friend.”
Safety tips
To avoid falling victim to these scams, residents are advised to:
- Be cautious of deals that seem too good to be true;
- insist on inspecting the product before making a payment;
- meet sellers in safe, public spaces, such as police stations or busy shopping malls, do not go alone;
- avoid meeting at unknown locations, especially Browns Farm;
- use secure payment methods that offer some level of protection against scams;
- verify the identity of the seller, make copies, rather be too careful and ask for too much
- Make sure the information you receive from the seller is legit.
