The South African presidency has issued a cautionary alert to the public, urging vigilance against scammers who are fraudulently using the name of President Cyril Ramaphosa for illicit purposes.
Reports have surfaced regarding messages circulating under the pretense of being sent by the president himself.
In an official statement, the presidency emphasized that President Ramaphosa neither solicits funds nor endorses payments or contracts with third parties through various means such as websites, advertisements, social media, emails, letters, texts, or phone conversations.
Consequently, individuals who have received such communications claiming to be from the president or the presidency are advised to sever all contact with these scammers immediately.
While the presidency has not disclosed specific details about the nature or duration of these scams, they have urged those who have fallen victim and sent money to the scammers to report their cases to law enforcement authorities promptly.
Local media reports indicate that cybercrime and impersonation cases have been on the rise in South Africa, heightening concerns over the security and trust of online interactions.
The South African public is urged to remain cautious, exercise skepticism, and promptly report any suspicious communication claiming to involve President Cyril Ramaphosa or the presidency. By remaining vigilant, individuals can protect themselves and help curb the proliferation of these fraudulent activities.
