Polokwane – The South African Police Service (SAPS) in Limpopo has warned the public about an extortion scam in which criminals are allegedly impersonating a police official and demanding money from families whose relatives are supposedly under arrest.
According to a statement issued by SAPS, the suspects are using photographs of Colonel Mosito Tumelo Ntsasa, who is attached to the Limpopo Provincial Technology Management Services (TMS), on social media and other communication platforms.
The suspects allegedly contact members of the public while posing as Ntsasa and claim that their siblings or other family members have been arrested and are being detained at a police station.
Victims are then allegedly pressured to pay money in exchange for the purported release of their relatives.
SAPS stressed that Ntsasa has no involvement in the fraudulent activities and that his identity and photograph are being misused.
Limpopo Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Jan Petrus Scheepers warned those behind the scam that police were pursuing the matter.
“We are issuing a strong warning to these criminals that the SAPS will not tolerate the misuse of the identity and image of a police official to extort money from members of the public.”
“We are intensifying the manhunt for the perpetrators and will pursue every available lead to identify and apprehend those behind these criminal activities,” Scheepers said.
Police urged members of the public to verify claims about an alleged arrest or detention directly with the relevant police station before taking any action.
SAPS also warned people not to transfer money or disclose banking details, passwords, PINs or other personal information to anyone making such demands.
“Any suspicious call, message or social media account purporting to be from a police official should be reported to the police immediately,” SAPS said.
The matter is under investigation as police work to establish the identities of those behind the impersonation and extortion scheme.
Members of the public who have fallen victim to the scam or have information that could assist investigators are urged to report it at their nearest police station or contact Crime Stop on 08600 10111.
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
