PRETORIA CULLINAN – SAPS warns members of the community with regard to continuous online scams, whereby perpetrators prey on their victim via online advertisements. Investigation reveals that the majority of victims deposit a large sum of cash and buy an advertised item that has been published on social media platforms, only to discover that the seller does not exist.
Members of the public are therefore requested to be aware of cyber criminals who target online payment platforms and online marketplaces to steal victims’ money and to ensure the credibility of the seller before they can purchase any advertised item.
While some scammers will just publish an advertisement so that you can pay money directly to them, others will be less obvious. They will try to trick you into giving them personal information they can use to: get access to your finances and steal your identity. Beware and be safe.
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.