{"id":47810,"date":"2024-02-21T10:32:41","date_gmt":"2024-02-21T08:32:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/tygerburger\/online-fraud-spikes-20240220-4\/"},"modified":"2025-03-19T23:14:13","modified_gmt":"2025-03-19T21:14:13","slug":"online-fraud-spikes-20240220-4","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/tygerburger\/online-fraud-spikes-20240220-4\/","title":{"rendered":"Online fraud on the rise in Milnerton, Table View, with up to 20 cases reported daily"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

A fraud investigator at the Table View police station says they receive about 10 to 20 fraud dockets per day (depending on the time of the month) from incidents within the precinct, Milnerton and surrounding areas. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The top two fraud incidents are animal- and investment fraud, Sgt Warda Christians, a fraud investigator at the Table View police station pointed out. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Recent reports reveal this concerning fraud trend is spiking to unprecedented levels. From sophisticated cyber scams to traditional confidence tricks, deceitful tactics have proliferated, leaving a trail of financial loss, reputational damage, and emotional distress in their wake.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe community should be vigilant when purchasing anything online, especially via Facebook marketplace,\u201d Christians warns, saying these trends are not only subject to the Table View area but happen everywhere.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cFor example, a victim will see a particular car or house, make a deposit to secure his or her spot, only to find out later that not one existed. Either the it is a stolen car or the house is not up for lease,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Christians pointed out that they work with all the major banks when investigating fraud cases, but it takes longer than usually expected.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe banks will freeze the alleged perpetrators funds, but only for two weeks. In most cases, our investigation is not completed within this time frame,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As fraud is running rampant all over the country, Table View police spokesperson Capt Adriana Chandler emphasises the importance of raising awareness of fraud.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cEspecially to those who do not understand the extent of fraud and how people lose large amounts of money,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tygerburger<\/span> spoke to a victim of animal fraud, Leona Fredericks after a picture of a French bulldog won her heart.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She made contact with the apparent owner of the dog a year ago while searching online for this specific breed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe picture of the dog pulled me in,\u201d said Fredericks, who was prepared to meet the owner for a cash exchange. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe questions made me feel it was legit and that they cared about where their puppy goes.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After emails and phone calls, signs surfaced that something just wasn\u2019t right.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The apparent owner first insisted upon a deposit, then wouldn\u2019t communicate on the phone and was hesitant to meet in person.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fredericks later learned the puppy, which she had hoped to make part of her family, wasn\u2019t real.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Christians says this is more common than one thinks \u2013 they see animal fraud all the time. She advises the community to avoid going online and contact owners.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIf you really want to adopt an animal, rather call the SPCA or a animal shelter,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rental, romance scams<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

In an interview last Thursday, Christians told TygerBurger<\/span> that fraudsters will advertise what you\u2019re looking for at a great price. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhen you inquire about the product, it\u2019s suddenly unavailable but a higher-priced product is offered as a replacement. Similar to bait-and-switch items, non-delivery scams involve a seller who lists an item that they aren\u2019t planning on actually shipping to buyers. Instead of switching the item for something more expensive or lower quality at the last minute (as with bait-and-switch), non-delivery scams attempt to take payment without sending the item out. This allows the perpetrator to engage multiple buyers with a single item or sometimes no item to sell at all,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Christians says rental scams on Facebook Marketplace involve fake listings for apartments, properties, boats, or power tools that ask shoppers for upfront payments or deposits. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIn the case of living spaces, some of these listings ask customers to fill out fake lease agreements or applications with the hope of attaining valuable personal information like social security numbers. Once the victim has submitted a deposit and\/or application, the scammer disappears. If the seller will only accept payment methods that are untraceable \u2014 such as advance cash payments \u2014 this is a huge red flag that they are a scammer.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Christians also warned of romance scams which occur when scammers create fake personas and then reach out to you over Facebook Messenger, dating sites, or other social media platforms and try to start a romantic relationship. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThese scams take days or even weeks to play out, but the consequences can be devastating.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How to avoid being scammed<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

While getting scammed is always possible, there are plenty of ways to keep yourself safe. The following reminders can act like a checklist for every transaction:<\/p>\n\n\n\n