Heads up, Saffas: Facebook Live lottery scams are cleaning out our bank accounts
· The South African
Facebook lottery scams in South Africa are hitting us hard, and the losses are real.
SAPS and cybercrime experts are sounding the alarm after a growing number of us have lost thousands of rands to fraudsters running slick looking lucky draw livestreams on Facebook.
Visit esporist.org for more information.
How the scam works
The Facebook lottery scam in South Africa typically starts with a live stream promoting scratch cards or lottery tickets, telling us we stand a chance to win big cash prizes.
Once your “bet” is placed, the fraudster claims you have won but demands additional fees before any money changes hands. You are then asked to do an EFT or scan a QR code to cover these so-called “release fees.”
Spoiler: there are no winnings coming.
By the time you realise, the money is gone
Most victims of the Facebook lottery scam in South Africa only realise something is wrong once the cash has already left their accounts and the scammer has gone dark.
I personally received an SMS announcing I had won R1 million, which was odd seeing as I never bought a lottery ticket. If I nearly fell for the excitement of it, any of us can.
These fraudsters are convincing, and they know exactly which buttons to push.
If you have already lost money, act fast
Call your bank’s fraud hotline immediately:
- ABSA: 086 055 7557
- FNB: 087 575 9444
- Nedbank: 080 011 0929
- Standard Bank: 080 002 0600
- Capitec: 086 010 2043
Then report it to SAPS by calling 10111 or visiting your nearest station, and to the National Cybersecurity Hub on 086 099 8877.
The sooner you act, the better your chances.
A Friendly Mzansi Reminder
Easy money is a lie they sell to people who work hard for every rand. Before you click a link or send a cent, verify the source. Stay sharp and keep your hard-earned cash safe.