Fake TikTok account impersonating deputy minister

THE Department of Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation (DPME) is cautioning members of the public about a fake TikTok account impersonating deputy minister, Pinky Kekana.

According to the department, the TikTok account “Pinky_Kekana3” has been fraudulently using the deputy minister’s name and photos to promote fake trading lessons.

“Disseminating untrue promises of teaching clients to trade and quickly make amounts ranging from R56 000 to R67 000, is intended to swindle and scam innocent citizens. For the record, Deputy Minister Kekana does not have a TikTok account and the Ministry and DPME do not offer any educational trading programmes about making money.

“Therefore, the public and stakeholders are urged to desist from following or communicating with the TikTok account ‘Pinky_Kekana3’ to avoid falling victim to unscrupulous fraudsters,” the department said.

This case and others have shown the risks associated with social media, providing a platform to many to hide their true identity with the goal of exploiting the public.

According to experts, an alarming surge in social media scams have been witnessed in recent years.

In South Africa and around the world, cybercriminals are exploiting the widespread use of social media platforms to perpetrate their illicit activities.

While the most common forms of social media scams involve phishing, fake profiles, and financial fraud, there is a more targeted and insidious threat lurking for high-level business executives.

Last year a case of a “fake doctor” who used social media to become influential also gained considerable attention.

The TikTok influencer -- who went by the name Dr Matthew Lani -- regularly shared medical advice on the social media platform. However, it was later discovered that he was not a qualified doctor.