The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) has issued a stern warning to the public regarding a scam where individuals are impersonating the National Director of Public Prosecutions (NDPP), advocate Andy Mothibi, through fraudulent phone numbers and social media accounts.
According to the NPA spokesperson, Kaizer Kganyago, some impersonators have been circulating messages while falsely claiming to be advocate Mothibi, using a photo of him taken with the Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure, Dean Macpherson, to lend credibility and mislead recipients.
NPA Condemns Impersonation Acts
The NPA strongly condemns these acts of impersonation and urges the public to exercise caution when receiving messages or calls from anyone claiming to be advocate Mothibi. The NPA noted that such conduct is unlawful and could constitute offences including fraud and impersonation.
As stated on the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development website, the NDPP is responsible for leading the National Prosecuting Authority, and any attempts to impersonate him are a serious threat to the integrity of the institution.
How to Identify and Report Scams
To identify and report these scams, the NPA advises the public to be cautious of any messages or calls that ask for personal or financial information. The public is also urged not to engage with these scammers and to report any incidents to their nearest law enforcement authorities.
Some key things to look out for include:
- Unfamiliar phone numbers or social media accounts claiming to be the NDPP
- Requests for personal or financial information
- Messages or calls that seem suspicious or too good to be true
The NPA reaffirmed its commitment to protecting the integrity of its leadership and safeguarding the public from fraudulent activities conducted in the name of its officials.
For more information on how to protect yourself from scams, you can visit the South African Police Service website.
