ALBERTON SAPS has raised concern regarding a case where individuals have been impersonating police officers to extort money from the public.
According to the acting station commander of Alberton SAPS, Lt Col Esnati Heyns, the station has received five cases where the victim was called by individuals claiming to be either Col Heyns or a Col Alberts.
The victims in question received these calls after either visiting a massage parlour or being part of an online dating service.
The suspect calls the individuals and claims that they have a pending sexual harassment case against them and that they should pay R5 000 to the person to have the matter squashed at the public prosecutor.
Suspicion of the nature of the calls was raised when a victim phoned the station to speak to Lt Col Heyns, only to be shocked to hear a female voice, whereas the original caller was male.
A case of impersonating a police officer and defamation of character has been opened and police are investigating the matter.
Lt Col Heyns appeals to the community to be aware that an officer will never request money to be paid to them.
“This fraud and corruption from an outside source is giving the force a bad name,” she said.
She advised the public to ask for a force number when such a call is received as these numbers cannot be faked.
She also appealed to victims to come forward and assured them that their identities will be treated as confidential.
The Alberton SAPS can be contacted on 011 861 6800.
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