MILWAUKEE – A convicted sex offender was released from prison after serving time for another crime. He told his probation officer he’d be living in Milwaukee. When law enforcement went to check in on him, they found an empty lot.
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What we know:
“This is a person that can be dangerous, he’s taken advantage of people in terrible ways,” the U.S. Marshal on the case said.
Clifton Robinson
Clifton Robinson did time for defrauding the government. He was convicted of 16 federal fraud counts. Investigators say over the course of several years he filed false tax returns, sometimes using stolen identities and claimed more than a million dollars in refunds.
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“They are taking this money away from people that should be getting their returns and getting money that should be…
If you suspect you have been targeted by fraudsters, time is your most valuable asset. In the world of cybersecurity, we refer to the “Golden Hour”—the first 60 minutes after a compromise where you have the highest chance of stopping a transaction or preventing identity theft.
Here is your updated South African Fraud Response Action Plan:
PHASE 1: IMMEDIATE ISOLATION (0–30 MINUTES)
Do not wait for a “clear sign” that money has left your account. If you have shared a PIN, OTP, or clicked a suspicious link, act immediately.
Call your Bank’s Fraud Line: Do not use the general customer service number; use the dedicated 24/7 fraud lines listed in the table below.
- Request a “Global Hold”: Ask the agent to place a temporary hold on all digital banking channels, not just your physical cards.
- Secure your Email: If you suspect your email was hacked, change the password immediately and “Log out of all other sessions” in your security settings.
- Kill Remote Access: If you gave someone remote access (via AnyDesk or TeamViewer), disconnect your internet immediately and uninstall the software.
PHASE 2: OFFICIAL REPORTING (1–24 HOURS)
To claim from insurance or the bank, you must have a police case number.
- Visit a SAPS Station: You must lay a formal charge in person. Bring your ID and printouts of the fraudulent transactions or messages.
- The Affidavit: Explicitly state that you want a case opened for investigation.
- Get the CAS Number: Ensure you leave with a Case (CAS) Number. This is the “key” that unlocks further help from the SAFPS and the Bank’s forensics team.
PHASE 3: IDENTITY PROTECTION & DISPUTE (24 HOURS+)
- Register with SAFPS: Contact the Southern African Fraud Prevention Service. They provide “Protective Registration” which alerts all banks and retailers to extra-verify any new credit applications in your name.
- Escalate to the Ombudsman: If your bank refuses to refund you and you feel they were negligent (e.g., they didn’t spot a clear SIM-swap), you can lodge a free complaint with the National Financial Ombudsman.
2026 SOUTH AFRICA FRAUD DIRECTORY
- SAPS Crime Stop: 08600 10111 – saps.gov.za
- SAFPS (Identity Theft): 011 867 2234 – protection@safps.org.za
- National Financial Ombudsman: 0860 800 900 – info@nfosa.co.za
- Standard Bank Fraud: 0800 222 050 – reportfraud@standardbank.co.za
- FNB Fraud Line: 087 575 9444 – phishing@fnb.co.za
- ABSA Fraud Hotline: 0860 557 557 – cibfraud@absa.africa
- Nedbank Fraud Line: 0800 110 929 – phishing@nedbank.co.za
- Capitec Fraud Line: 0860 10 20 43 (WhatsApp) – 067 418 9565
- Discovery Bank Fraud: 011 324 4444 – discovery.co.za