01 Dec 2015

Botswana Police Services (BPS) has cautioned the public against criminals who lure their potential victims through the social media promising them large amounts of money.

According to a news release from BPS, police investigations have revealed that suspects usually befriend their victims through social media to an extent of earning their trust.

“The suspects, who usually claim to be staying abroad, would then inform the victim that they (suspects) have posted them material presents (including money),” says the release. 

The release says the victim is usually requested to pay some money as tax clearance for the release of such goods and that is where the catch is.

These are empty promises meant to milk the victim of their money.

It states that the police have registered a number of incidents where some people were lured through Facebook and other social media to send money in exchange for false goods or being told that they have won a lottery.

Currently, states the release, police are investigating five cases in which money amounting to P40 000 was syphoned from unsuspecting victims.

“The police would like to warn the public against falling for these hoax promises as their whole intention is to defraud their victims and the public is also advised to avoid engaging in conversations with strangers through social media,” says the release. Ends