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IOL News
a day ago
- Business
- IOL News
Scammer targets Durban seafood business; owner loses thousands to online fraud
In a shocking incident that underscores the rising tide of online scams, a Durban-based seafood business has suffered a considerable loss of R6,492 at the hands of a cunning fraudster this past weekend. The owner, who remains unnamed, reported the incident to Reaction Unit South Africa (RUSA) after discovering that several Electronic Fund Transfers (EFT) for seafood orders had failed to reflect in their account. The ordeal began on Friday when the scammer made contact with the business through WhatsApp, placing a sizable order that included seafood boil, prawn platters, and an assortment of frozen seafood. To validate the transaction, the fraudster provided what appeared to be a convincing proof of payment from First National Bank (FNB). Believing the payment to be genuine, the business owner prepared the order, which was subsequently collected by an E-Hailing driver. The following day, the scammer placed a second order worth R4,300.00. However, the owner's instinct kicked in, and they requested an instant payment before releasing the goods. The scammer again sent a fraudulent proof of payment, but this time, the owner was wary. Upon contacting their bank for verification, they were informed that the payments had never been made, marking the moment the owner realised they had been scammed. In a twist of deception, the scammer persistently contacted the owner afterwards, falsely claiming that the payment had been successful. This individual, described as an Indian male, is just one among many con artists employing similar tactics to exploit small business owners. The modus operandi of these scammers often involves recruiting unsuspecting E-Hailing drivers to collect goods. After providing drivers with an address and directing them to leave the products in unsecured locations, the con artists promptly pay them through cash transfer services while creating an elaborate web of deceit that complicates the recovery of stolen goods. Scams like this are proliferating, particularly on platforms like Facebook Marketplace, where sellers are pressured into swift transactions without confirming the legitimacy of a payment. 'Buyers often target sellers during banking hours or intend to verify payments in a limited timeframe, making it ripe for unscrupulous tactics,' warned a RUSA spokesperson. In light of this incident, the public is urged to exercise due diligence by verifying all bank deposits prior to releasing any goods, especially during online transactions. As these scams continue to evolve, taking precautionary steps can help guard against future fraud.
The Citizen
08-07-2025
- The Citizen
KZN teen (13) stalked and blackmailed by alleged Instagram predator
KZN police have launched an investigation into possible contraventions of the Sexual Offences Act 23 of 1957 and charges of intimidation after a 13-year-old girl from Phoenix, KZN, was allegedly threatened by a stalker who had been following her on Instagram. The Witness reports that the incident unfolded last week, when private security company Reaction Unit South Africa (Rusa) responded to an emergency call at a residence in Phoenix, Durban. Rusa spokesperson Prem Balram says an 18-year-old teenager, who was reported to have been threatening the girl online, was found outside her home at about 15:00. He says the suspect fled the area in a white Toyota Corolla. 'The family, who had locked themselves indoors, told our officers that the 13-year-old Grade Eight girl had been chatting to the man, who befriended her on Instagram in April 2024. 'The man repeatedly sent nude pictures and homemade pornographic videos to the girl via WhatsApp and had requested nudes of [her]. The girl became concerned for her safety when the suspect stalked her at school excursions and knew her whereabouts. 'He then threatened her with exposing her nudes and started demanding money from her. This eventually escalated to threats of kidnapping and murder. The girl had shared personal details with the perpetrator, who then used the information to track down her residential address and work locations of her parents,' says Balram. Balram says Rusa is in possession of several pornographic videos and images made by the suspect in his bedroom and sent to the girl. The suspect has been identified as a resident of Kenville, KZN, and is an employee of a catering company. The girl's father declined to comment. Provincial police spokesperson Constable Thenjiswa Ngcobo says Phoenix police have registered a case of contravention of the Sexual Offences Act and intimidation. Mountain Rise SAPS Community Policing Forum chairperson Sham Govender says cyberbullying remains a major concern. Referring to a recent case involving a social media platform, he called for more proactive measures. 'It has come to the attention of the Mountain Rise CPF that an inappropriate Instagram platform, involving pupils from three high schools in the northern areas, has reappeared. This serves as a warning to all parents to monitor their children's social media usage. 'As parents, we must be proactive in addressing this cyber issue, as children who are afraid to inform their parents could face devastating consequences,' says Govender. Clinical psychologist Navin Nursoo says social media is highly unregulated and easily accessible. 'It is scary; there is little control across the board regarding social media use. Parents have little to no access to what their children are engaging with online across all social media platforms. 'Children who are in primary school are now on social media; they are not mature enough to engage with older people, as this often leads to a distorted idea of relationships and dysfunctional social behaviour in the future.' He adds that while it may not be possible to monitor everything children encounter online, parents should instil strong values to help safeguard them. 'Parents need to educate their children about the dangers of social media and teach them values about its moral use, which will assist parents in monitoring what their children engage with,' Nursoo says. Breaking news at your fingertips… Follow Caxton Network News on Facebook and join our WhatsApp channel. Nuus wat saakmaak. Volg Caxton Netwerk-nuus op Facebook en sluit aan by ons WhatsApp-kanaal. Read original story on At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
IOL News
05-07-2025
- IOL News
Verulam police investigate murder of 51-year-old man in suspected hit
A blue Hyundai i10 with multiple bullet holes, the scene of a tragic shooting incident in Verulam, where a 51-year-old man was murdered while travelling with two passengers. Image: Supplied Verulam police are investigating the murder of a 51-year-old man who was gunned down in his vehicle while travelling to his home in the Mhlasini area in a suspected hit on Thursday. Reaction Unit South Africa (Rusa) spokesperson Prem Balram said the man was travelling to his residence with two passengers. Balram said that at approximately 6.51pm, the Rusa operations centre received multiple calls for assistance after gunmen opened fire on a blue Hyundai i10 at the corner of Hazelmere Drive and Quarry Road in Redcliffe. When reaction officers and Rusa paramedics arrived at the scene, they discovered the driver of the vehicle slumped in his seat. 'He was shot multiple times and died before first responders arrived,' he said. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ According to Balram, the deceased's 32-year-old girlfriend and his work colleague were in the vehicle at the time of the incident. 'The female sustained a gunshot wound to her buttocks, and the male was grazed by a bullet on his back.' He said it was established that three men who were standing on the side of the road suddenly opened fire on the vehicle. 'Both passengers disembarked and fled. The gunmen continued shooting at the driver as they walked towards the car. They thereafter fled on foot in an unknown direction,' said Balram. Balram added that 13 spent 9mm cartridges were recovered at the scene. Provincial police spokesperson Constable Thenjiswa Ngcobo said the motive for the killing is unknown. 'Verulam police have opened a case of murder and two of attempted murder following an incident in which three people were allegedly attacked while in the vehicle on 3 July 2025,' she said. Ngcobo said it was reported that the victims were ambushed by unknown people while driving. 'The suspects opened fire, fatally wounding a 51-year-old man and injuring two victims, who were taken to hospital for medical attention,' she confirmed. According to Balram, the deceased man is believed to be an employee of eThekwini Municipality. When approached for confirmation, municipal spokesperson Gugu Sisilana referred queries related to criminal matters to the SAPS. 'The municipality does not have the authority to investigate murder incidents because this is the mandate of the South African Police Services, and we will therefore not be able to comment or confirm any information,' she said. The 51-year-old victim was travelling with two passengers. Image: Supplied A 51-year-old man was murdered while travelling with two passengers. Image: Supplied A blue Hyundai i10 with multiple bullet holes. Image: Supplied
IOL News
04-07-2025
- IOL News
Targeted killing? eThekwini Municipality employee gunned down in KwaZulu-Natal
A 51-year-old man believed to be an eThekwini Municipality employee was shot dead in a suspected targeted killing while driving to his residence in Mhlasini, KwaZulu-Natal, on Thursday evening. The incident unfolded shortly before 7pm, when the Reaction Unit South Africa (RUSA) Operations Centre received multiple calls for assistance after gunmen ambushed a blue Hyundai i10 at the corner of Hazelmere Drive and Quarry Road in Redcliffe. "Verulam police have opened a case of murder and two of attempted murder following the incident in which three people were allegedly attacked while in the vehicle. The motive for the killing is unknown," said police spokesperson, Constable Thenjiswa Ngcobo.
The South African
04-07-2025
- The South African
Ethekwini municipal official shot dead returning home in KZN
Gunmen fatally shot a 51-year-old Ethekwini municipal official on Thursday evening, 3 July 2025, while he was driving home to Mhlasini, KwaZulu-Natal. Gunmen ambushed the victim, a Deputy Superintendent in the Department of Roads and Stormwater, in Redcliffe. The Reaction Unit South Africa (RUSA) Operations Centre received multiple calls for assistance at approximately 18:51, reporting a shooting at the intersection of Hazelmere Drive and Quarry Road. RUSA officers and paramedics rushed to the scene and found the man slumped in his blue Hyundai i10. He had been shot several times and died before first responders arrived. The gunmen shot the victim's 32-year-old girlfriend in the buttocks and grazed his work colleague on the back while they were in the car. The three were on their way home when three men standing by the roadside suddenly opened fire. The passengers fled the vehicle as the attackers approached and kept shooting at the driver. The gunmen fled on foot in an unknown direction. Police recovered 13 spent 9mm cartridges from the scene. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X, and Bluesky for the latest news.
