Sunday, 13 September 2026 ⚠️ Real Incident

Fake Bank Call Costs Pensioner R1.7 Million

A pensioner lost R1.7 million after fraudsters pretended to be bank staff updating customer records. Police have since arrested four suspects linked to the scam.

What happened

Four fraudsters called a pensioner while pretending to work for her bank. They claimed they needed to update her personal customer information. The scammers used this trick to obtain her confidential banking details and access her account. Police have since arrested four suspects in connection with the crime.

How it worked

Scammers contact you pretending to be official bank employees. They claim they are updating your Know Your Customer details to verify your identity. They use this excuse to trick you into revealing private credentials like passwords or PINs. With your secret information, they log into your account and transfer your money.

How to protect yourself

• Never share secret passwords, PINs, or One-Time Passwords over the phone.
• Hang up immediately if a caller asks for your confidential bank details.
• Report any suspicious call straight away to your bank or the nearest police station.

Source: The South African