The South African Police Service (SAPS) has warned against a cellphone scam in which users receive a text message saying a case has been opened against them by the police.<\/p>\n
According to spokesperson, Brigadier Hangwani Mulaudzi, people who received this message fell victim to fraudsters once they replied to the message and in some cases, had money extorted from them.<\/p>\n
Mulaudzi said the first case was reported in January.\u00a0Since then, however, there had been an increasing number of instances nationwide.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe scam came to the SAPS\u2019 attention after a case had been reported in Rosebank, Gauteng in January. It was followed by other cases with the same modus operandi that was reported in the Western Cape, KwaZulu-Natal, the Free State, North West, and Limpopo,\u201d Mulaudzi said.<\/p>\n
The victims received a SMS stating a SAPS case had been opened against them and that they had to contact a Constable Baloyi at 060 800 8148.<\/p>\n
Other random names and different contact numbers were also given in other instances.<\/p>\n
After they responded to the message, they would be informed that a warrant of arrest had been issued for a traffic fine and that they needed to pay a certain amount.<\/p>\n
An account number would be given claiming they had to deposit the money into an FNB account with the number 62017066201 or an Absa account number, 4054021171.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou are warned not to fall for this scam. In case you receive this kind of SMS, please contact your nearest police station,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
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