eWallet obituary scams on the increase warns FNB
FNB Namibia has warned the public of the latest eWallet scam which is on the rise targeting bereaved families who have lost a loved one.
Elzita Beukes, FNB Namibia Communications Manager advised that this new ‘obituary scam’ is a targeted approach by fraudsters to extract money from bereaved family members who have placed a funeral notice in local newspapers or social media.
“Fraudsters will contact unsuspecting people on the phone number used in the funeral notice. A fake sms is then sent to them, which is a replica of what one would normally receive from the +363636 number. Often you will not focus on the number that the sms has been sent from. The fraudsters claim to have known the deceased and offer to send you money, perhaps over eWallet. You will then be told that they have sent you too much and will ask for a portion to be ‘refunded’. You will, however, not be able to withdraw the money they ‘send’, but the funds you send them will disappear from your account within minutes,” she added.
Beukes urged customers to end the call immediately if they do not know the caller.
“We also encourage all our customers to please contact our Forensics department on 061 299 7764 or our Contact Centre on 061 299 2222 or after hours on 061 299 2999. Remain vigilant and warn your friends and family members. It is a sad reality that fraudsters are preying on the vulnerable and those who are mourning their loved ones, and we urge everyone to be aware and to remain vigilant,” she concluded.
