Limpopo – The Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation has warned the public, especially women, about dating scams after receiving numerous complaints around the province, according to a statement by the South African Police Service (SAPS).
The statement reports that specific women are targeted by scammers.
“According to the available information, women who are recently divorced, widowed, inherited valuable assets or having a stable job but unmarried are targeted by these scammers who would pretend to be looking for a good wife to marry within a very short space of time,” it said.
“In a short while, they would come up with business proposals where the victims would be promised unbelievable dividends,” the statement added.
ALSO READ | South Africa cracks down on online dating scam
According to Police spokesperson, Captain Matimba Maluleke, the scammed victims would also be required to sell all of their valuable assets or withdraw all their monies to make a deposit into the bank accounts that they would be provided with in order to start a lucrative-looking business idea.
“After successfully depositing the money, they will never see or hear from the scammers again. Many victims are left drowning in heavy debts. Most of the scammers are reportedly foreign nationals,” the Captain added.
The captain added that some victims are approached by men who claim to be prophets connected to their ancestors. They would tell them everything about their upbringing and current lives. Eventually, the victims would be convinced to resign and bring all their pension money to the altar for rituals.
SAPS has advised women to stay away from scammers who come into their lives “in the name of love”.
SAPS’ tips to help identify the scammer:
- They look and sound very caring and responsible
- They always come up with business proposals
- They do not want their pictures to be taken
- They do not want to meet with you in a public place
- They always hide their identification documents
- They do not introduce you to their families
- They want to own everything in a relationship
- They do not take you to their real house
- They always come up with contradictory stories
“You better run away from them before they run away with all your money or assets that you have worked hard for,” the statement concluded.
Follow African Insider on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram
Picture: Pixabay
For more African news, visit Africaninsider.com
Compiled by Junaid Benjamin
