REPS warns public of new scams
By Delisa Magagula
As the festive season approaches, the Royal Eswatini Police Service (REPS) has raised the alarm over a new wave of sophisticated scams targeting unsuspecting citizens.
With increased spending, social gatherings, and community savings schemes such as stokvels preparing to pay out, criminals are exploiting the busy season to steal money through digital and physical means.
Director of the Fraud and Commercial Unit, Assistant Commissioner of Police Nicholus Jele, said these scams are becoming increasingly sophisticated and warned the public to remain vigilant.
“People must be on the lookout for those who will offer to buy goods for them at discounted prices. Such people are usually fraudsters who make away with unsuspecting victims’ money,” Jele stated.
He said if one wants a discount, they must ask for it from the shop and not bank their hope on strangers.
According to REPS, WhatsApp phishing and false advertising on Facebook are the primary tools for scammers this festive season.
WhatsApp phishing messages often impersonate officials, sometimes claiming to be police officers or government representatives. The messages use official-looking logos and urgent language to pressure recipients into making hasty decisions.
“Scammers create a sense of urgency and fear to manipulate people. They may claim your ID number has been flagged in a case, demand payment to avoid arrest, or ask for sensitive banking information.
Citizens must understand that REPS will never ask for money or personal information through WhatsApp or social media. All official communication is done through the proper channel,” said Jele.
Similarly, fraudulent Facebook ads offer goods such as electronics, household appliances, or even tickets at seemingly unbeatable prices.
Once a victim engages, scammers often produce fake proof of payment or request upfront payments, only to disappear with the money.
“These scams are designed to exploit the holiday rush. People are more likely to act impulsively when they are excited about buying gifts or taking advantage of deals. We urge the public to verify all transactions and never trust unsolicited offers,” he said.
In addition, he said the festive season presents a perfect storm for scammers. Shoppers are distracted, stores are busy, and people are more willing to take risks to secure gifts and supplies.
According to Jele, criminals have noticed this pattern and are becoming increasingly audacious, using psychological manipulation alongside technological tools to trick their victims.
Jele emphasized that citizens must maintain caution when making purchases, especially online, and verify the legitimacy of the seller before parting with money.
He said paying attention to payment methods, looking out for suspicious profiles, and confirming deals through official channels can help avoid falling victim to fraud.
