First National Bank (FNB) of Namibia has cautioned the public to be aware of the latest e-wallet scam which targets bereaved families who have lost a loved one.

The bank’s communications manager, Elzita Beukes, in a media statement said this ‘obituary scam’ is a targeted approach by fraudsters to extract money from bereaved family members who have placed a funeral notice in local newspapers or on social media.

“Fraudsters will contact unsuspecting people on the phone number used in the funeral notice. A fake SMS is then sent to them, which is a replica of what one would normally receive from the +363636 number. Often you will not focus on the number the SMS has been sent from. The fraudsters claim to have known the deceased and offer to send you money, perhaps via e-wallet. You will then be told that they have sent you too much and will ask for a portion to be refunded. You will, however, not be able to withdraw the money they ‘send’, but the funds you send them will disappear from your account within minutes,” she said.

She urged customers to end the call immediately if they do not know the caller.

“We also encourage all our customers to please contact our forensics department. Remain vigilant and warn your friends and family members. It is a sad reality that fraudsters are preying on the vulnerable and those who are mourning their loved ones, and we urge everyone to be aware and to remain vigilant,” said Beukes.

Source: Namibia Press Agency