A 50-year-old woman from Stellenbosch was conned out of R9,999 on 13 February 2026 after a four-hour video call during which fraudsters impersonated police officers and legal officials, convincing her she was a wanted drug lord and bullying her into transferring money.
Police Warning As Scammers Mimic Law Enforcement
According to the South African Police Service, the scam began when a man calling himself ‘Steven’, purportedly a customs supervisor at Cape Town International Airport, contacted the victim. Over the next four hours, the criminals orchestrated a video call during which they assumed the roles of police officers and legal authorities. The scammers pressured her into believing she was under investigation for drug trafficking and instructed her to transfer R9,999 as a “temporary security check” to clear her name.
The woman described her experience as deeply distressing. “I was scared and did exactly what they wanted me to do… I truly believed I had been framed and that police were really looking for me as a drug lord, so I fell for it,” she said. Her testimony highlights the emotional manipulation frequently employed by such fraudsters.
Colonel André Traut, speaking for the Western Cape police, reiterated, “Police have on numerous occasions warned members of the public about criminals impersonating police officials and other law enforcement authorities to extort money from unsuspecting victims.” He encouraged anyone approached in a similar manner to verify the credentials of the caller and contact their nearest police station.
Rising Trend In Police Impersonation Scams Across South Africa
This case forms part of a broader pattern, with scams involving fake law enforcement officials on the rise in South Africa. The modus operandi typically involves generating fear and urgency around alleged criminal charges, forcing victims into making payments to avoid arrest or prosecution. Police urge members of the public never to transfer money to unknown individuals claiming immediate legal consequences, especially following unsolicited communications.
Victims can report suspected scams to their local police or the South African Police Service’s Crime Stop number. Authorities advise vigilance and caution, particularly when faced with unexpected threats of legal action or demands for financial transfers from supposed law enforcement officials.
Police investigations into this and similar incidents are ongoing, with law enforcement agencies working to track and disrupt scam networks targeting residents in the Western Cape and beyond.