Police warn against scam using provincial commissioner’s office number

Provincial police are warning the public not to fall victim to a telephone scam involving the Provincial Commissioner’s office number. 

In an ongoing scam, fraudsters are cloning the Provincial Commissioner’s office number of 021 417 7148, to deceive and intimidate victims.

In this scam, the caller ID appears to reflect the  Provincial police office number, creating the false impression that the call originates from the police. Victims are then contacted, in some instances via video call, by an individual impersonating a police officer and dressed in a police uniform.

Provincial police spokesperson, Colonel Andrè Traut, said the victims are falsely accused of being linked to a parcel allegedly intercepted at an airport containing contraband. “Through intimidation and threats of arrest or prosecution, victims are coerced into paying large sums of money to 'resolve' the matter,” he said.

Colonel Traut said that this scam is not limited to this province, as similar cases have been reported across the country.

“The compromise and misuse of the above-mentioned telephone number is currently under investigation, along with the reported cases linked to this scam,” he said.

The South African Police Services emphasise that:

• Police officials will never demand money to prevent arrest or prosecution.

• Police will not request payments via telephone or video calls.

• Members of the public should always verify the identity and credentials of anyone claiming to be a police official.

• Be aware that the caller ID 021 417 7148 is currently being fraudulently used in this scam.

The public is urged to remain vigilant and to immediately report any encounter with suspected scammers to their nearest police station or to Crime Stop on 086 001 0111.