The Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA) cautions the public to exercise vigilance when engaging in financial services transactions via Telegram with individuals purporting to represent FirstRand Limited (FirstRand) and its Chief Financial Officer, Mr Markos Davias (Mr Bavias).
FirstRand, through its portfolio of integrated financial services businesses, offers a comprehensive range of transactional, lending, investment and insurance products and services.
The FSCA has been alerted to the existence of Telegram groups operated by certain individuals who claim to be associated with FirstRand and Mr Davias. These individuals are reportedly soliciting funds from members of the public and offering unrealistic investment returns. Specifically, they are promising returns of 100 percent within 24 hours through supposed investments in Bitcoin.
FirstRand has confirmed that it has no association with the individuals or the Telegram groups in question. The company has also stated that its brand name, logos, trademark and images of its employees are being used without authorisation. Furthermore, FirstRand confirmed that it does not conduct any business through Telegram or other social media platforms.
Without commenting on the business of the impersonators, the FSCA points out that offering financial products and services in South Africa requires its authorisation. The FSCA could not research the administrators of the Telegram group for comment.
The public is strongly urged to exercise caution when considering investment or trading offers on social media platforms or any unsolicited offers.
What is Fraud? “Fraud” is any activity that relies on deception in order to achieve a gain. Fraud becomes a crime when it is a “knowing misrepresentation of the truth or concealment of a material fact to induce another to act to his or her detriment” (Black’s Law Dictionary). In other words, if you lie in order to deprive a person or organization of their money or property, you’re committing fraud.