The Southern African Fraud Prevention Service (SAFPS) has issued a fresh warning to the South African public regarding a highly deceptive scam currently circulating across the country. The scheme involves fraudsters impersonating members of the South African Police Service (SAPS) in order to extort personal information and money from unsuspecting victims. The warning comes in response to an increasing number of reports received by the SAFPS from individuals who have been targeted in this criminal operation.
Key Takeaways
- Police Impersonation Scam: Criminals are pretending to be SAPS officers, using fake documents and video calls to create fear and extract personal information and money from victims.
- Use of Malware and Isolation Tactics: Victims are manipulated into installing malicious apps and discouraged from contacting real authorities, allowing scammers full access to devices and financial data.
- Official Protocols Ignored: Real SAPS investigations are never conducted through WhatsApp, messaging apps, or video calls, and no genuine officer will ever request money or banking details.
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How Victims Are Deceived by Police Impersonators
According to the SAFPS, the scam is built on a calculated strategy of manipulation and intimidation. Criminals involved in this operation falsely present themselves as law enforcement officers, claiming to be from local police stations or specialised SAPS units. The primary aim is to establish credibility and instil a sense of urgency and fear in the targeted individual. These fraudsters are not merely opportunists—they follow a script, often using knowledge of police terminology, ranks, and standard operating procedures to appear credible.
Initial contact is typically made through telephone calls, WhatsApp voice calls, or in some cases, video calls. During these interactions, the fraudsters inform victims that their identity details—such as identity numbers, passport credentials, or banking information—have been linked to suspicious or criminal activity. They often reference precise details, including the victim’s full name, ID number, or recent financial transactions—details likely harvested from previous data breaches or social engineering ploys.
Allegations Include Fraud and Human Trafficking
The types of alleged offences vary, but often include reports of airline ticket purchases, suspicious package deliveries, or even serious crimes such as human trafficking. By suggesting the victim is either a suspect or unknowingly involved in criminal operations, the scammers are able to pressure them into compliance.
In some cases, victims are told they are part of an international crime syndicate under surveillance by Interpol, amplifying the perceived seriousness of the matter.
To support their claims, the criminals often go to extreme lengths by producing fabricated documentation. These fake documents may resemble official legal notices, such as arrest warrants or search and seizure orders. The documents are carefully designed to appear authentic, complete with government emblems, SAPS letterheads, and complex legal language, thereby increasing the likelihood of deceiving individuals unfamiliar with law enforcement procedures. Even seasoned professionals have reportedly struggled to tell the difference at first glance, due to the high level of detail and formatting precision.
Escalation Through False Authority and Coordinated Tactics
As the deception escalates, victims may find themselves speaking to multiple individuals claiming to be superior officers or specialists assigned to the supposed investigation. This tactic reinforces the illusion of a multi-tiered investigation and further intimidates the individual. The impersonators typically adopt formal and assertive language to create an atmosphere of authority and seriousness, guiding the victim step-by-step through a fictitious legal process. Some victims report being kept on calls for hours, mentally worn down until they complied out of pure exhaustion and anxiety.
In the next stage of the scam, victims are directed to continue communication exclusively via WhatsApp. They are warned not to contact their local police station under the pretence that the matter involves internal corruption within SAPS. This isolation tactic ensures that victims remain under the scammer’s control and do not verify the situation with legitimate authorities. The fraudsters often claim the victim is under surveillance, and that any deviation from instructions will be treated as obstruction of justice.
Sensitive Data and Funds Illegally Extracted
As the process continues, victims are subjected to a series of demands. Scammers pressure them into providing highly sensitive information, including ID numbers, banking details, and proof of assets. Victims are also asked to share screenshots of their online banking platforms and recent bank statements. They are sometimes told their bank accounts have been compromised by criminal organisations, and funds must be “temporarily relocated” for verification.
In some instances, the scammers convince the victim to transfer money to a supposed secure account. They are falsely reassured that the money will be returned after their name has been cleared of any wrongdoing. This phase often includes video calls where the impersonators continue issuing threats while refusing to show their faces. Some victims are threatened with immediate arrest or frozen assets if they hesitate, while others are falsely promised protection if they comply.
Malicious Apps Used to Access Devices
One particularly concerning element of the scam involves a fraudulent SAPS mobile application. Victims are instructed to install this fake app as part of the investigation process. Unbeknownst to them, the application contains malware that allows remote access to the victim’s device, including their financial data and personal files. This malware can record keystrokes, intercept two-factor authentication codes, and mirror the victim’s device activity in real time.
Other Banks Issue Similar Warnings
The SAFPS is not the only institution to raise concern over this type of fraud. Similar alerts have recently been issued by Nedbank and Discovery Bank. Nedbank has reported cases where fraudsters pose as either its own fraud department staff or police officers, using similar scare tactics. Discovery Bank has highlighted incidents involving individuals posing as detectives who accuse victims of being part of a fraud case and instruct them to transfer money in order to resolve the situation.
Banks are urging customers to ignore unsolicited instructions to act urgently and to report all suspicious contact immediately.
Key Warning Signs to Watch For
Given the rise in these impersonation scams, the SAFPS has outlined several key red flags that members of the public should keep in mind:
- Official police investigations do not take place over WhatsApp or similar messaging platforms. SAPS does not use chat applications to gather statements, send legal documents, or issue arrest instructions. If anyone insists that your only point of contact should be a messaging app, that alone is cause for alarm.
- Law enforcement does not conduct interviews or legal discussions via video calls. Any individual requesting a statement through such means should be regarded with suspicion. Real investigations involve written summons or face-to-face appointments under documented legal conditions.
- Individuals have the right to verify the identity of any police officer. This includes confirming their badge number and contacting a nearby police station directly to verify the officer’s legitimacy. A legitimate officer will never object to being verified.
- Legal documents are never sent through chat apps or social media. Authentic documents are delivered through formal, traceable legal channels. Scammers often count on the average person not being familiar with the proper procedures—do not be rushed into acceptance.
- No police officer has the authority to prevent a person from speaking to their legal representative or a third party. Any attempt to limit communication is highly suspicious and likely intended to intimidate. You are always entitled to legal counsel, no matter the allegation.
- You cannot be forced to visit a police station outside your home province. Lawful investigations can be conducted locally with the help of designated officers. Travelling across provinces on the instruction of an unknown individual is a major red flag.
- At no point during a real investigation would a law enforcement official request access to your bank account, financial screenshots, or a money transfer. SAPS does not need or request your funds to verify criminal activity—any such demand is fraudulent.
- Government institutions, including SAPS and the South African Reserve Bank, will never ask for money to confirm your innocence or to safeguard your assets. No state body has a practice of requiring advance payments in investigations—this is purely a scam tactic.
What to Do If You Suspect a Scam
The SAFPS advises anyone who receives a suspicious message or call of this nature to immediately terminate the conversation. If in doubt, individuals should contact their nearest police station using verified details and report the incident. Taking screenshots and recording voice messages can help investigators trace the scam’s origin.
Victims or potential victims should also notify the SAFPS to assist in tracking and preventing such scams from spreading further. Taking swift action could prevent further losses and assist in protecting others from becoming victims. SAFPS maintains a fraud prevention database that helps financial institutions and law enforcement detect and disrupt repeat offenders.
Conclusion
South Africans are being targeted in a highly coordinated scam involving fraudsters who pose as police officers, using a combination of impersonation, social engineering, and digital deception to intimidate individuals into compliance. These criminals exploit fear, urgency, and unfamiliarity with legal procedures to gain access to banking details and personal data—often resulting in serious financial losses. Authorities have urged the public to remain cautious, verify identities, and never share sensitive information or transfer funds under pressure. Reporting any suspicious activity to the SAFPS and the nearest police station is essential in combating this rising threat.
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