As we are nearing festive season, Police are concerned about the increasing number of Fraud cases despite previous warnings which were issued.

Fraudsters continue to defraud unsuspecting victims by posting advertisements on social media. Police have received several reports in the past week where fraudsters defrauded people by posting advertisements for car sales on Facebook. The fraudsters convince the unsuspecting people who are interested in buying the car to deposit a certain amount of money before the car can be delivered. The fraudsters will then withdraw the money and disappear without delivering the car.

In some other incidents, fraudsters convince the victims to join an investment scheme by depositing a certain amount of cash and they promise greater or double returns on the investment. Sometimes the victims are offered cash loans but they are told to deposit some money before the loan cash is released. This trend has been seen around Nelspruit.

The community is requested to approach a reputable car dealership when they want to purchase a car.

“We request the community to be vigilant, do proper research and not to rely on social media posts or advertisements when they want to buy a car or any other item. Most importantly, people are requested not to deposit or send money to people that they have never met” said the Provincial Commissioner of Mpumalanga Lieutenant General Semakaleng Manamela.

Anyone with information that can assist police in their investigation should contact Detective Colonel Ernest Maoka on 082 318 9843 or they can call the toll free number on 08600 10111. Alternatively they can send information via MySAPSAPP which can be downloaded to any smartphone. All information will be treated with strictest confidentiality and callers may opt to remain anonymous.

Source: South African Police Service