The SAPS is warning the public about a scam circulating in various provinces involving fraudulent letters that falsely appear to originate from SAPS.
These fake letters, often distributed via WhatsApp, display the SAPS logo and include the names and contact details of senior SAPS officers, and in some instances, the addresses of SAPS offices.
According to provincial police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Amanda van Wyk, scammers use this information to trick recipients into sharing personal details under false pretenses.
“The content of the letters is often tailored according to the victim’s location, with names, addresses, and contact persons altered to make the communication seem authentic.
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“In certain cases, these WhatsApp messages are preceded by phone calls from individuals posing as police officials, falsely claiming that criminal cases have been opened against the victim,” said Van Wyk.
SAPS urges the public not to respond to these messages or to provide any personal information, including ID numbers, addresses, or banking details.
“Please note, the SAPS does not communicate with the public via WhatsApp or video calls,” Van Wyk added.
Anyone who has received or responded to these fraudulent messages is urged to report the incident and open a case at their nearest police station.
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