. MWAMBA

By REBECCA MUSHOTA –
A MANSA-based teacher has lost more than US$8,000 after falling prey to a Facebook scheme run by con artists.
According to the latest advisory issued by Zambia’s High Commissioner to South Africa Emmanuel Mwamba, the teacher, whose identity has not been disclosed, was hoodwinked into sending the money to South Africa with the hope of receiving a parcel sent by a ‘suitor’ from overseas.
In a letter titled ‘Warning: Ladies there is no parcel sent for you. It’s a Faceboook scam’, Mr Mwamba said despite earlier warnings, reports of Zambians being swindled had continued.
He said the fabricated story was usually the same for everyone, involving a Caucasian man purporting to be from the United Kingdom or United States of America befriending a lady on the social network.
A few days later, the ‘friend’ would claim to have sent a parcel allegedly containing a high-end electronic gadget like an IPhone, Samsung S6, laptop or any other valuables, including cash.
The scammer would then send authentic documents providing ‘proof’ of dispatch such as an invoice, reference and tracking number claiming the parcel would be delivered through renowned courier companies.
A few days later, the lady in Zambia would receive a call from South Africa that ‘her parcel’ from Europe had been impounded because cash was found in the parcel.
The lady would be asked to urgently send penalty fees ranging from $300 to $10,000 failure to which she would forfeit the parcel to the State.
The victim would then be given a name through which to send the cash via Western Union or Money Gram.
“Despite our earlier warning, there appears to be many victims of this scam. Ladies please, note that the profile of the white man from Europe and USA and the scam artists from South Africa are one and the same,” Mr Mwamba said.
He advised that if contacted by scammers, the would-be victims should not send money but instead demand to pay for a parcel at the port of entry or through a local dispatcher.
Mr Mwamba said it was sad that the teacher had lost more than $8, 000 in the racket.
He said every time the teacher paid some money, the fraudsters would claim that there was more cash to be deposited for various requirements.
A con artist is a person who cheats or tricks others by persuading them to believe something that is not true.