Scammers targeting students remain concerning

The Citizen

2 days ago

Between July 28 and July 31, the Facebook page Potchefstroom First Responders reported that the police had received over 90 scam-related reports. Although this figure has dropped by about 30% from 2024 to 2025, these scams still occur frequently in crime hotspots, especially in the Bult area.
Although the numbers remain concerning, the decrease in this type of crime can be attributed to the use of CCTV footage. Scammers are identified by authorities and therefore tend to avoid areas where they've previously been recognized.
Christiaan Haefele, Operations Manager at Mooirivier Beskerming, says students are usually targeted through three main scam tactics:
Faith-based scams: These involve scammers who offer rituals or blessings to students. They take students to stores to purchase certain items, usually phones or laptops, and then steal the possessions.
Fake valuables scam: Scammers use fake valuable stones or diamonds and ask victims to either deliver or temporarily hold them. They then ask the student to lend them their phone, only to disappear with it. In some cases, scammers hand victims a bank card with a PIN and instruct them to withdraw money. Victims are asked to leave their phones behind, which the scammers then take and vanish.
ATM and bank-related scams: Newer methods include scammers distracting a victim at an ATM or offering to 'help' and then swapping the bank card with a decoy. Others pose as bank employees over the phone, claiming to detect fraud. They then ask for banking details and use the information to withdraw money.
Statistics from Mooirivier Protection show that black students make up the majority of the victims of these types of scams. In hotspots such as Die Bult, 100% of reported victims are students.
'Students are often targeted due to their age and may not be as cautious or aware of the scams happening in the area,' says Haefele.
Mooirivier Beskerming has noticed that scammers often target individuals rather than groups. This makes it easier to distract a victim through conversation. They commonly use emotional language or create emergency scenarios to gain sympathy or attention. Scammers also rely on local knowledge about students' routines or locations to identify their targets.
Haefele says victims typically suffer financial losses ranging from R2 000 to R10 000. Commonly stolen items include phones and laptops.
However, the damage goes beyond finances. 'Many victims, especially students, feel humiliated. It leads to distrust of strangers, service providers, or even friends. Some even lose sleep, especially if the scam involved threats,' he adds. Scams can instill fear in victims, which may lead to depression and anxiety.
Haefele advises victims to first report the incident to the police and open a criminal case. They will only investigate if the scam involves a financial loss, a traceable item, or a pattern of criminal behavior. If the scam involves bank fraud, victims should immediately report it to their bank and freeze any affected accounts or cards.
Students can also approach NWU Protection Services if the crime occurred on or near campus. They can also access counseling if the scam caused trauma.
Mooirivier Beskerming offers support resources for victims. All reported cases are investigated via their integrated CCTV network. Once a suspect is identified, information is handed over to SAPS. License plates and suspect descriptions are uploaded to their system, and if a flagged plate is spotted on CCTV, units are dispatched to the scene.
Mooirivier Beskerming, together with the Buzzer app, is available for users to report suspicious activity or request assistance.