Government cautions public on scams
The government calls on all South Africans, including the business sector, to be vigilant of scams that are “going viral” to entice unsuspecting individuals and businesses into believing they will benefit from them or contribute towards improving the work of charitable organisations.
Acting GCIS CEO Phumla Williams says: “South Africans are urged to take extreme caution to avoid falling prey to these criminal activities. ”
The public should also be aware of those who lure victims by pretending to have benefited from such scams.”
Government has noted that the latest scam involves a request for people to donate money to the Mandela Foundation.
The organisation has indicated that these are scams that are intended to undermine the legacy of Nelson Mandela, as well as the continued work of his charity.
Another trend is that government departments’ logos and bogus letterheads are being used in an attempt to get money by, among other things, promises of securing employment and other services, such as obtaining fake official certificates.
“Members of the public randomly receive false emails and phone calls made to look like authentic government correspondence,” said Williams.
“Government has official platforms and processes to be followed in the event of a department requiring information.”
The public is encouraged to work with law enforcement agencies and to report any scams they are aware of, in order for the perpetrators to be investigated and for such practices to be stopped.
