A 53-year-old Mpumalanga resident has been swindled out of approximately R70 000 after falling prey to criminals posing as helpful strangers at a retail supermarket, prompting police to issue an urgent warning to the public about this growing form of fraud.
Victim's savings transferred to unknown account
The man, who lives in Pienaar outside Nelspruit, was targeted in August 2023 by fraudsters who offered to assist him in accessing funds linked to his smart shopper card from a well-known retail chain. After the encounter, the victim discovered that his money had been diverted to an unidentified bank account, leaving him with a devastating financial loss.
Authorities in the province have confirmed that no arrests have yet been made in connection with the incident. Investigators are, however, actively pursuing leads and have called on members of the public to come forward with any information that could help identify the suspects.
Anyone with knowledge of these alleged criminals is encouraged to contact the Crime Stop hotline on 08600 10111 or submit tip-offs through the My application. Police have assured the public that all information received will be handled with the strictest confidence, and callers may choose to remain anonymous.
Provincial commissioner urges vigilance
Mpumalanga Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Semakaleng Daphney Manamela has appealed to community members across the province to exercise extreme caution when approached by strangers offering unsolicited help, particularly at shopping centres and retail outlets. The general stressed that accepting assistance from unknown individuals can leave people vulnerable to sophisticated scams.
"We are definitely on the heels of the suspects and it is just a matter of time before we nail them," said the General.
The modus operandi typically involves criminals approaching shoppers and claiming they can help them withdraw or access cash rewards stored on loyalty cards. Through sleight of hand or digital manipulation, the fraudsters then gain access to their victims' banking details and transfer funds without their knowledge.
Law enforcement officials have emphasised that this type of fraud is not isolated to a single area and have urged residents throughout Mpumalanga to remain alert. The police have reiterated their commitment to tracking down those responsible and bringing them to justice.
South Africans who use retail loyalty cards face increasing risk from sophisticated fraud schemes that exploit trust and unfamiliarity with digital banking tools, particularly among older and rural shoppers. The financial devastation experienced by victims like this Pienaar resident highlights vulnerabilities in consumer protection at retail points. With no arrests yet made despite months of investigation, similar scams may continue spreading across provinces, making public awareness and vigilance essential to preventing further losses.
