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Unfortunately, scams targeting genuine causes are becoming more prevalent, mainly affecting victims of serious violent crimes, animal welfare, and NGOs. When SSS are frequently contacted by victims who realize they have been scammed,
it highlights a need for greater awareness and safeguards against these fraudulent practices.
Scammers are increasingly exploiting platforms like BackaBuddy, GoFundMe,
and similar crowdfunding sites to trick people into donating to fake causes.
TYPICAL METHODS USED BY SCAMMERS:
Creating fake profiles and stories:
Scammers create convincing profiles with fabricated stories of hardship, illness, or victimisation.
They often use emotionally charged language and images to evoke sympathy and encourage people to donate.
For instance, they might falsely claim to be raising money for medical expenses, a funeral, or to support a victim of violence.
Misusing legitimate platforms:
They exploit legitimate fundraising platforms like BackaBuddy by setting up accounts that look authentic.
They may use stolen photos or fake documents to verify their claims, making detecting fraud harder for these platforms.
Social media amplification:
Social media is used to spread these fake campaigns quickly.
Scammers share links to their fraudulent accounts across multiple platforms, often using hashtags related to prevalent causes, such as #StopGBV (Gender-Based Violence) or #SupportOurYouth, to gain traction.
Manipulating donors' trust:
Scammers often claim to be associated with well-known charities or individuals to gain credibility.
They may even impersonate someone known in the community to garner trust.
Scammers sometimes claim they will match donations or have secured additional funding that depends on public support.
Withholding funds:
After collecting donations, scammers fail to distribute the funds to the intended recipients.
Instead, they keep the money for personal gain, leaving genuine victims without support and donors defrauded.
LEGAL REPERCUSSIONS:
South African law treats such activities as serious criminal offences.
Fraud charges:
Scamming people through fake donation campaigns constitutes fraud, a crime punishable by law.
Fraud involves intentionally deceiving someone to secure an unfair or unlawful gain, usually financial.
In South Africa, those convicted of fraud can face significant penalties, including imprisonment.
Theft and misrepresentation:
Using platforms like BackaBuddy under false pretences can also result in theft and misrepresentation charges.
If found guilty, offenders could face imprisonment of up to 15 years, depending on the scale of the fraud and the amount of money involved.
Cybercrime offences:
Scamming via social media and online platforms may also violate the Cybercrimes Act of 2020.
This Act criminalises various forms of cyber fraud, including unlawfully acquiring, using, or distributing funds digitally. Convictions can lead to hefty fines and imprisonment.
Civil liability:
Beyond criminal charges, scammers can also be held civilly liable.
Victims of fraud can sue for damages to recover lost funds, although this often depends on the scammer's ability to pay.
Blacklist and platform bans:
Crowdfunding platforms may ban individuals involved in fraudulent activities, preventing them from setting up future campaigns.
They may also collaborate with law enforcement to track and report scammers.
PREVENTATIVE MEASURES FOR DONORS:
Verify the campaign:
Research the cause independently.
Contact the person or organisation directly to confirm the fundraiser's legitimacy.
Check the platform's verification process:
Ensure the crowdfunding platform has strict verification processes to reduce the fraud risk.
Be wary of urgent requests:
Scammers often create a false sense of urgency.
Take the time to verify before donating.
Report suspicious activity:
Report any suspicious campaigns directly to the crowdfunding platform and to local authorities if you suspect fraud.
Scammers exploiting donation platforms steal money and damage the public's trust in genuine charitable causes.
Legal repercussions are severe, including criminal charges and imprisonment.
To protect yourself, always verify the legitimacy of any campaign before donating, and report suspicious
activity to the relevant authorities.
SSS has a crucial role in protecting donors and genuine causes from scammers. By taking immediate action on reported fraud, collaborating with law enforcement, and enhancing security measures, they can help curb the rise of these scams.
Additionally, educating the public on the dangers of fraudulent fundraisers and providing transparent reporting channels will help build a safer and more trustworthy environment for charitable giving.
Specialised Security Services invites the public to the Mike Bolhuis Daily Projects WhatsApp Group.
This group is important in delivering insights into the latest crime trends, awareness, warnings and the exposure of criminals.
HOW TO JOIN THE MIKE BOLHUIS DAILY PROJECTS WHATSAPP GROUP:
Follow the link to our WhatsApp group:
"JOIN" to ensure you never miss our daily updates.
You will receive automatic notifications as soon as a new project is posted.
CONTACT MR MIKE BOLHUIS FOR SAFETY AND SECURITY MEASURES, PROTECTION, OR AN INVESTIGATION IF NEEDED.
ALL INFORMATION RECEIVED WILL BE TREATED IN THE STRICTEST CONFIDENTIALITY AND EVERY IDENTITY WILL BE PROTECTED.
Regards,
Mike Bolhuis
Specialist Investigators into
Serious Violent, Serious Economic Crimes & Serious Cybercrimes
PSIRA Reg. 1590364/421949
Mobile: +27 82 447 6116
E-mail: mike@mikebolhuis.co.za
Fax: 086 585 4924
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EXTREMELY IMPORTANT: All potential clients need to be aware that owing to the nature of our work as specialist investigators there are people who have been caught on the wrong side of the law - who are trying to discredit me - Mike Bolhuis and my organisation Specialised Security Services - to get themselves off the hook. This retaliation happens on social media and creates doubt about our integrity and ability. Doubt created on social media platforms is both unwarranted and untrue. We strongly recommend that you make up your minds concerning me and our organisation only after considering all the factual information - to the exclusion of hearsay and assumptions. Furthermore, you are welcome to address your concerns directly with me should you still be unsatisfied with your conclusions. While the internet provides a lot of valuable information, it is also a platform that distributes a lot of false information. The distribution of false information, fake news, slander and hate speech constitutes a crime that can be prosecuted by law. Your own research discretion and discernment are imperative when choosing what and what not to believe.
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