Mandela foundation targeted by crooks

The Nelson Mandela Foundation has become the latest victim of criminals who entice people to make donations, government said on Thursday. 

   

"Government has noted the latest scam involves a request for people to donate money towards the Mandela Foundation," acting government spokeswoman Phumla Williams said in a statement.

   

"The organisation has indicated that these are scams that are intended to undermine the legacy of Nelson Mandela as well as the continued work of his charity," she said.

   

"Government calls on all South Africans, including the business sector, to be vigilant of scams that are ‘going viral’ to entice unsuspecting individuals and businesses into believing they would benefit from them or contribute towards improving the work of charitable organisations."

   

Another trend was that government departments’ logos and bogus letterheads were being used in an attempt to get money by, among other things, promises of securing employment and other services, such as obtaining fake official certificates.

   

Members of the public randomly received false e-mails and phone calls made to look like authentic government correspondence.

   

Government had official platforms and processes to be followed in the event of a department requiring information, said Williams.

   

The public was encouraged to work with law enforcement agencies and report any scams they were aware of in order for the perpetrators to be investigated and for such practices to be stopped.

   

-Sapa