Somerset West police are investigating a case of fraud after a complainant had more than R1 000 stolen from her bank account with the use of AI facial recognition.
The case is the latest docket opened, as the Somerset West precinct is starting to see cases of fraud steadily increasing.
On Saturday 2 November a Somerset West resident received a WhatsApp message with a promotion for discounted flights with South African Airways. The complainant clicked on a link provided in the message and she got a call back from the unknown WhatsApp caller.
“While the complainant was on the call with the alleged fraudsters, she was requested to adjust her body and face in her camera,” said Sergeant Suzan Jantjies, spokesperson for Somerset West police.
Once the scan of her face was completed, the complainant received a notification on her phone that her sim card had to be reinserted.
Upon reinsertion the complainant discovered that three months worth of her debit orders had been reversed and the funds were transferred into a different account.
The fraudster also depleted her savings account, accumulating to R1 000.
No arrest had been made at the time of publication and the suspects remain at large.
DistrictMail & Helderberg Gazette recently reported that reported fraud cases has increased by 0,5% in Somerset West over the last six months (“Crime fighters gearing-up for holidays”, 16 October.)
During a community policing forum meeting on crime on Wednesday 9 October, Somerset West Vispol commander Lieutenant-Colonel JP du Toit informed residents that the precinct had seen a decrease in all crimes the previous semester aside from fraud, which was on the rise.
Following the announcement, the police are on high alert as alleged fraudsters are especially targeting people between 60 and 80 years.
The last weekend in October (27 to 29 October) saw nine cases of fraud opened at the police station. Over the last weekend (Friday 8 to Sunday 10 November), six cases have been opened.
“One of the methods used by the fraudsters is getting victims to provide them with a one time pin (OTP) to access their banking accounts,” said Jantjies.
Victims would generally receive a call from an unknown WhatsApp number, claiming to be their bank’s fraud department. Because the fraudsters have all the victim’s confidential information, it would lure them into a false sense of security to provide them with the OTP.
As the incidents are perpetrated online, the process to apprehend the culprits is lengthy. “These criminals can be anywhere in the country or even outside our borders,” said Jantjies.
Furthermore, the fraudsters provide inaccurate addresses, operate on WhatsApp with numbers registered to different people and disguise themselves as part of legitimate businesses.
Somerset West police have asked the community to be wary of any suspicious behaviour from unknown callers, especially if you engage in online shopping.
“You need to verify everything that you are being told and remember no bank will ever ask you for a OTP,” said Jantjies.
You can verify whether a contact number is legitimate by researching the number online. Also request a proof of account from the person contacting you, if you are contacted via WhatsApp, and ask the person to provide you with their cellphone number.
Victims of online and general fraud can call the South African anti-fraud hotline on 079 894 1332.
