DO NOT hand out cash because you “have won” something. It is “Advance Fee Fraud”.
AN SMS and WhatsApp scam circulating in Nelson Mandela Bay has already duped at least three people who between them have lost about R20 000 in recent weeks.
Eight cases of fraud linked to the scam are under investigation by various police stations across the Bay.
Fears that more residents could fall victim to the scam have prompted police to warn residents not to be conned into believing that they have won money in a lucky draw competition.
Three cases in the Uitenhage and Despatch area have been reported since the beginning of March.
And an additional five have been reported to the Gelvandale police station .
Police spokesman Warrant Officer Basil Seekoei said in all the cases the message, received via SMS or WhatsApp claimed the victims’ cellphone numbers had randomly been selected in a lucky draw.
The victims are then told to deposit money to claim their “winnings”, which vary between R300 000 and R400 000.
“Once they respond to the message it is followed by another stating …
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