Crime syndicates use social media to extort money, warns S. African minister

CAPE TOWN, Dec. 20 (Xinhua) -- Social media have become a platform for crime syndicates to extort money from unsuspecting patrons, especially high-profile personalities, in South Africa, Minister of Home Affairs Ayanda Dlodlo warned on Wednesday.

"We have detected incidents of fake social media accounts attempting to solicit money from members of the public and we have reported this matter to the Hawks (a special anti-crime unit) for thorough investigation," Dlodlo said.

In one case last week, cyber criminals impersonated Dlodlo to solicit money from social media users, according to the minister.

Dlodlo said a fake account bearing her name was created as a platform to solicit money through a purported contract deal to the amount of 25 million rand (about 2 million U.S. dollars).

This "deal" is said to be a business venture between Dlodlo and another cabinet minister in terms of which a member of the public is being asked for certain kind of information to qualify for a share of 50 percent in the purported transaction, said the minister.

In a statement issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs, Dlodlo denied being involved in any deal of the nature described in the fake correspondence.

These impostors create numerous fake accounts not just for misinformation and personal data compromise, which are common mischiefs on social media, but to extort money, she said.

Dlodlo said her department will never ask people to pay money through social media for any of their services, and anyone who comes across such requests should report these to the authorities.

The minister emphasized that social media networks are critical platforms for information flow and exchange around the globe, but are also dangerous hunting grounds for cyber criminals who are sparing no effort in using easy access of these networks for their nefarious deeds.

"We would also like to warn those who are involved in this illegal activity that the law will come hard on them," the minister said.

South Africa is ranked as the world's third hardest hit country by cyber crime.

According to the South African Banking Risk Information Center, South Africans lose in excess of 2.2 billion rand (about 173 million dollars) to internet fraud and phishing attacks annually. Enditem