Erongo police caution against scammers
SWAKOPMUND – The Namibian Police in the Erongo region has cautioned members of the public to be vigilant against scammers soliciting payments for alleged traffic fines and warrants of arrest.
Erongo Police spokesperson Ileni Shapumba, on Thursday in a statement said the police in the region received numerous reports of callers identifying themselves as police officers and demanding money from the public.
“Over the past weekend, a caller who identified himself as deputy commissioner Keelu from national headquarters in Walvis Bay randomly called several people, including business persons and threatened that he was investigating cases involving them and that they needed to pay in order to avoid arrests.
“At the moment, there is another person calling businesses and individuals identifying himself as a police officer with the Namibian Police and City Police, trying to solicit payments for alleged outstanding warrants of arrest and traffic tickets,” Shapumba explained.
He noted that the police distances itself from these individuals, adding that NamPol will not call any person with regards to an outstanding warrant of arrest and demanding any payment by e-wallet or any other form of online transaction.
“Legitimately, the police or any other law enforcement institution would demand that a person be arrested or for the purpose of investigation, report at a respective police station and in an event where such person is unable to or unwilling, the police officers will trace him or her at his/her given location.”
Shapumba emphasised that police officers are required at all times to identify themselves by means of appointment certificates and act professionally at all times.
The inspector has strongly urged the public to be alert at all times and to report any suspicious callers to local police stations.
He further urged members of the public to avoid paying money as method to avoid arrest and should note that the police do not charge fees when investigating cases of fraud.