GAUTENG – The South African Police Service (SAPS) in Tshwane is urging members of the community to exercise extreme caution when buying goods or services through social media platforms and online marketplaces, as fraudsters continue to use these platforms to deceive unsuspecting victims.
Members of the public are cautioned to be especially careful when coming across advertisements offering items at prices significantly below the normal market-related price. While such offers may appear to be genuine bargains, criminals often use unusually low prices to attract potential victims and convince them to make deposits or payments before the transaction has been properly verified.
Members of the community are therefore advised not to make any deposit or payment unless they are satisfied that the item exists, the seller is legitimate and the transaction has been properly verified.
The public is further warned not to scan QR codes simply because an unknown person claims that it is necessary to receive money, claim a refund or complete a transaction. Members should first establish exactly what the QR code is for and ensure that the request is legitimate before proceeding.
When making payments to sellers, trusted and secure payment methods should be used, and individuals should never rely solely on a screenshot or electronic proof of payment provided by the seller or buyer. Such screenshots can be altered or manipulated to create the impression that a payment has been made. Where possible, the recipient should independently confirm that the money has actually reflected in their account before handing over any goods.
SAPS also advises members of the public to exercise caution when arranging to meet people they have only dealt with online. Transactions with unknown persons should preferably take place at known and trusted public locations where there are other people around. A police station can be considered as a meeting point where appropriate, rather than meeting an unknown person at an isolated location or at a private residence.
Members are urged not to allow the prospect of securing a bargain to cloud their judgement. Fraudsters often create a sense of urgency and may pressure potential victims to make immediate payments or provide personal and banking information. Taking a few extra minutes to verify the seller, the item and the payment details can prevent individuals from becoming victims of fraud.
SAPS reminds the public: if a deal looks too good to be true, stop and verify before you pay.
Community members must further take note that especially in the northern parts of Tshwane, including Winterveldt, items are often advertised at prices below market-related value as part of scams. In some instances, persons who respond to such advertisements are lured to locations where they are robbed at gunpoint. Members of the public are strongly advised to avoid engaging with such offers and to exercise extreme caution when dealing with unknown sellers in these areas.
SAPS calls on members of the community to remain vigilant when conducting transactions online and to report suspected fraudulent activities to their nearest police station. Any information available, including advertisements, telephone numbers, messages, banking details and proof of transactions, should be preserved and provided to the police, as it may assist with the investigation.