Several residents of Modimolle have fallen prey to Internet scams. Internet fraud is on the rise and criminals are targeting everybody. The first signs of missing money from bank accounts started with a phone message that withdrawals have been made from their accounts. An absolute shock for the victims when they viewed their bank balances.
Miems Meyer, a teacher of Primary Nylstroom, is devastated after her bonus disappeared from her savings account. “I was busy with my class and paid no attention to my phone. When I read the messages, I saw that several transactions happened in my account. I immediately called the bank to freeze my accounts, but it was too late. ”
She lost R25 000 lost which was withdrawn from her Absa account and two Capitec accounts. “I had so many things I wanted to do with the money. Now I must try to make a plan to pay my rent. “She said the banks had transferred her money to various other accounts and that it supposedly happened from Nigeria.
Wiets Botes, a councilor in the town, is also a victim of internet fraud. “My wife called me this morning and said that there is great trouble. Foreign transactions passed through our bank account during the night, “he said. More than R100 000 was withdrawn from his accounts. According to Botes, he took the matter up with the relevant banks. “Standard Bank stated that they would repay the money and hold Vodacom responsible because a possible unauthorized “sim swap” was done on our phone,” he said.
Both of the victims confirm that no banking details were given to anybody.
Die Pos reported last week about a man who noticed money had disappeared from his bank account when he went to withdraw money at a Nedbank ATM at the Pick ‘n Pay Centre. Apparently, his bank card was stuck in the ATM and was cloned. The man had his card canceled by suffered the loss of losing his money.
They are, according to the police, not the only people who have experienced significant losses at the hands of criminals.
A wild chase, between Modimolle and Vaalwater on Friday, June 15 led to the arrest of four men believed to have been involved in similar activities.
Ao. James Findlay, spokesman for the Modimolle police said a suspicious car which was parked in town was reported by an Absa branch. The silver Polo, which had no license plates, sped off.
“The Modimolle police pursued the vehicle, and our colleagues at Vaal Water set up a roadblock,” said Findlay said.
The suspect car was apparently a rental car, and during the chase, it was believed to speed up to 200 km per hour. Fortunately was forced to reduce its speed after trucks on the road made it impossible to travel so fast.
“We have arrested four men. They were in possession of six bank cards, two of which apparently was stolen, “said Findlay. The men appeared in the Modimolle court on Monday, August 1, on charges of being in possession of stolen property.
Anyone with information about the incident or the suspects may contact Ao. Eugene Clarens at tel. 082 943 1214 call.
The ombudsman for banking fraud can also be contacted at www.obssa.co.za or tel. (011) 712-1800.
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