Auleria Wakudumo
A 60-year-old woman from Ombongo village in Omusati region has fallen victim to a significant fraud scheme, losing N$824 050 in the process.
The incident reportedly took place between 19 June 2024 and 31 August 2024 at an unknown time at a driving school behind Pick ‘n Pay in Outapi.
Omusati police spokesperson Anna Kunga that the victim was lured into a fraudulent scheme by suspects who presented themselves as police officers, and ordered the victim to get into their motor-vehicle.
Swindlers allegedly requested the victim to hand over her properties, including her cell phone and cell phone banking details.
Despite the cell phone being confiscated, the victim did not question the legitimacy of their actions or find it disturbing, as the suspects presented themselves as police officers. She apparently said the misrepresentation effectively hindered her ability to verify the situation, or seek help.
Kunga said that the unknown suspects returned the victim’s properties including her cell phone, on 31 August 2024, after they had completed the rip-off.
She advised the nation to refrain from giving out personal information.
“They should avoid sharing personal information with relatives or even their own children, as close associates have been known to betray family members to thieves and such betrayals often come to light only after a thorough police investigation into the incident,” Kunga said.
The inspector advised that if someone claims to be a police officer, request that they take you to their duty station for verification.