20 Mar 2025

Sejelo Police Station commander, Superintendent Mogomotsi Matlapeng has expressed concern over cases of obtaining by false pretense in his policing area.

He said his office received a report on March 17  from a woman who came in decrying loss of money from her bank account after an encounter with some people over a phone call. The  woman is reported to have received a call from people who identified themselves as consumer affairs workers in collaboration with of the retail stores.

Supt Matlapeng said the callers further told the victim that they were celebrating consumer affairs day and asked her questions on the brand colours of that retail store to convince and prove to her that they were working with stores. Upon answering those questions they congratulated her for winning P10 000. Furthermore, Supt Matlapeng said they asked for her banking details, the bank card, its serial numbers, its expiry date, the bank she uses, and her bank card pin.

“While still contemplating whether to give the pin, the bank message notified her that money has been cashed from her account,” said Supt Matlapeng who further said they withdrew about P17 000.

He cautioned the public to understand that bank details were not supposed to be shared with anyone. They are very private details given by the bank without disclosing them to even the one helping the client, explained Supt Matlapeng.

“If you expose your bank details, you are allowing money out of your account,” he advised and cautioned people to be vigilant.

He said no one should expect to win anything without even having participated in any competition platform. He advised that should the public suspect they were dealing with such deceivers, they should by all means avoid giving out bank details and remember to notify the nearest bank branch and the police. ENDS