Beware! Criminals are using new 'school girl' scam in SA
Most South Africans are usually on high alert for scams and criminal activity, but it seems we can’t keep up with all the new trends.
Criminals seem to be coming up with new scams daily, targeting innocent South Africans.
The latest scam, called the 'School Girl', has been flagged by the chief instructor at the National Hijack Prevention Academy, Richard Brussow.
According to Business Tech, this is how it works:
A motorist trying to fill up their car at a petrol station gets approached by a "school girl", usually between the ages of 13 and 17.
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The girl, wearing a school uniform, then asks if they could use the victim’s phone to phone their mother as they have run out of airtime.
"The main objective is to climb into your vehicle. As soon as that girl is inside the car waiting to use your phone, a supposed metro police officer knocks on your window – asking what’s going on. This is when the school girls will shout and accuse the driver of abduction and attempted rape," said Brussow.
Brussow also noted that this could result in an immediate arrest under the new Gender-Based Violence or Domestic Violence Act.
"I've dealt with cases where the motorist has been placed in handcuffs and berated for the situation they find themselves in," he said.
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After the claims of abduction, the "police officer" goes to speak to the girl.
"It's your lucky day. If you pay her R3,000, she will not carry on with the case against you."
Brussow added that, in some cases, it's not just R3,000 once-off.
"They take your details and phone you periodically, telling you that you must pay for the girl not to press charges against you."
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