Durban North South African Police Service (SAPS) sent a warning to the area’s residents to beware of extortion scams involving fraudulent police officers demanding money over the phone. The matter was on the agenda at a recent community imbizo involving the community’s SAPS Police Station Management. The meeting at the Wings Club at Virginia Airport was led by Lieutenant Colonel Pam Nair, the Visible Policing (Vispol) Commander of Durban North SAPS.
“We are urging the community not to fall for these phone calls. The people calling are not police officers and often use the station as their hook. If you have a concern, we urge you to contact the station to verify. There are times when officers legitimately call you down to the station to discuss statements but we never ask for money over the phone or tell you to pay a certain amount to resolve a case speedily,” she said. Darryl Oliver, public relations officer for the Durban North CPF, offered more information on the scam. “The extortion scam involves a ‘detective’ or ’investigating officer’ making contact with a victim via WhatsApp message or call. They claim to be in possession of a warrant for your arrest. The ‘charges’ are normally one that would solicit panic and fear such as rape or sexual assault.
This is why legal services exist. Durban North residents should be in touch with their lawyers concerning who is contacting them concerning an investigation. This should occur especially when you are being extorted over the phone. Mention of a bribe should be a red flag for anyone who is being asked for one. Residents across Durban should be weary of solicitation scams. If an eThekwini resident is being contacted anywhere in the area from a police station, they should ask to contact their lawyer or local legal practice to verify the investigation. Being accompanied by a lawyer to the police station to answer a charge or investigation should be your main priority. Watching out for so-called detectives or investigation officers solicitating bribes over the phone for possibly none-existent investigations should be a warning. Contacting legal counsel or service should be your first priority. This is a world in which scammers prey on the naïve.
According to SAPS, scammers typically call or message victims, pretending to be police officers from local stations. They allege that the victim is implicated in a crime — usually related to unpaid fines, fraudulent activities, or outstanding warrants. The scammers then demand payment, often requesting money through electronic transfers, e-wallets, or cash deposits to avoid an “imminent arrest.” Some have gone as far as sending fake documents or spoofed caller IDs to make their threats appear credible. Police emphasize that real officers will never demand money to cancel an arrest.
Durban North SAPS has intensified efforts to track down individuals behind this scam. Officers are working with cybercrime units to trace digital footprints, phone numbers, and financial transactions linked to the fraud. The station has also launched awareness campaigns across community groups, schools, and social platforms to help residents identify and report suspicious activities. SAPS spokespersons assure the public that they are committed to protecting residents and will take decisive action to dismantle the scam network operating in the region.
It is the responsibility of victims to be weary of these scammers when they are asking for electronic transfers of money. This is the first sign that happens when you are being scammed into doing something that is suspicious. If they threaten you would arrest, demand your right to consult a lawyer. Always have access to legal service. No one legally has the right to solicit a bribe from you even if they claim to be police. Especially if they claim to be police without verification. Police should or would never ask for a bribe over the phone. Especially an electronic transfer from one account to another.
Cybercrime is a new and evolving form of crime and its use in scams be it cat phishing or spam remains one of the darkest forms of scam art. If you believe you are under investigation for any wrong doing be it unpaid parking tickets or legal fines, or other such like always verify the statement with your local police station and have your legal aid on standby. Bribery is bribery, and you should never allow yourself to be solicited into paying money electronic or otherwise, especially via social media.
Article written by:
Yacoob Cassim
Journalist at Radio Al Ansaar
