Mowbray police issue warning against online scams

Mowbray police are cautioning the public not to fall prey to online scams after numerous cases were reported during the past month.

Mowbray police station commander, Lieutenant Colonel Cleo Arnoldus says their station is concerned about the number of cases reported where people who have used online platforms to advertise their goods have fallen victim to robberies or more serious crimes after being lured by criminals acting as buyers to make a delivery in certain areas.

Nearly R300 000 was lost through online scams during the past month.

Mowbray police is not only warning people about selling their items on Facebook market place, but is raising the alarm about fraudulent phone calls and messages.

In April, Mowbray police reported that a female victim received a call from a man who said he was from London and going to deposit money into her account. The victim gave her bank details to the man and he withdrew R60 000 from her bank account.

Also in April, Mowbray police reported that a male victim wanted to sell his shoes and his Playstation gaming device on Facebook Marketplace. Lieutenant Colonel Arnoldus says the male victim met with an associate of the buyer at his residence and the male victim gave the items away after he saw a proof of payment on his smartphone. He waited until midnight when the money was supposed to be in his bank account but it had not been transferred. The victim tried to call the buyer, who by then blocked his number.

Earlier this month, Mowbray police reported that a male victim received a call from someone claiming to be from the bank’s fraud division, and the so-called fraud division gave the victim a QR barkcode to scan. Afew days later an amount of over R235 000 was withdrawn from the victim’s bank account.

Lieutenant Colonel Arnoldus is warning the public that whenever they are selling items on Facebook market place they should be advised to arrange a meeting with a potential buyer at a public place at a time when people are around or even in front of a police station. “If the buyer has an ulterior motive, he or she will in all probability make an alternative suggestion, which should raise a red flag.” 

She says police are not discouraging people from making use of online advertising platforms, but they must exercise caution when doing so, to prevent becoming a criminal’s next victim.      

If anyone would like to report suspicious activity, you can contact Mowbray police at 021 680 9581/82 or call the Relief commander at 082 469 2777.