A deceptive scam has been making the rounds in the Western Cape where people claiming to be from the Gift of the Givers (GOTG) Foundation prey on innocent and vulnerable people claiming to be recruiting for positions within the organisation.
Gift of the Givers project manager Ali Sablay said that they are aware of the scams doing the rounds and encourage people not to fall for them.
“We have been called by numerous people about different scams going around using Gift of the Givers’ name, and we have asked people not to be gullible when it comes to people calling them to offer any packages and sign up for Gift of the Givers.
“The most important thing to remember is that GOTG will never ask anyone to register with them or look for money, that is not our policy. All details are available on our website and social media pages.
“We urge people that when they receive a call from someone claiming to be GOTG, immediately know that it is fraud because we will never ask anyone for money or assistance or ask them to sign up for a promo or raffle. We do not have time for that.”
He said that anyone who has fallen victim to these scams should visit their nearest police station and open a case as it is theft and fraud.
“We are aware of a lady in Cape Town who is using the Gift of the Givers name to recruit people and say that she is working for our Human Resources and making people pay for uniforms and vacancies, but it is all fraud.”
Falling for the trap was the family of a 100-year-old woman from Retreat, who recently celebrated her birthday. The family had put out an appeal to the public to assist with paint and building materials to help fix her home.
Nearly three weeks later, her granddaughter, Amina Shaibu, 41, said she received a call, on July 16, from a Mr. September, who claimed he was from Saldanha Gift of the Givers and had donations for the family.
“He was an Afrikaans-speaking person and asked to speak to my sister, Farieda, and when I asked him why, he told me that he was from Gift of the Givers in Saldanha and they had people who donated goods and money because he saw the 100th birthday article and the appeal for help with the house.
“As he was talking, he was stuttering, but he insisted on speaking to my sister. I sent my sister his number and she phoned him but he told her that he wasn’t at the office. My sister phoned me the next day to say she had a funny feeling and something was not right.”
Farieda Bandawe, who lives with the centenarian, was told that she needed to pay R600 for a local courier, or R800 for an express service, to get the goods delivered to her house. She was told she had to be at home and have her ID to sign for the goods or get her own transport to collect the items and money in Saldanha.
Shaibu said she contacted Gift of the Givers, who confirmed that it was a scam, and then contacted the alleged Mr September about their suspicions, gave him a “piece of her mind” and blocked him immediately. She messaged Bandawe to say it was a scam, but she did not see the message on time.
Unfortunately, Bandawe had already given her home address to Mr. September, and he threatened to kill them all. The family now lives in fear.
“I trusted him because he sounded so decent, but now I feel vulnerable and nervous because they have my address.
“I am not okay, and I am afraid to leave my house because I don’t know what is out there. When he said we are all going to die, that scared me, but I pray for safety and that nothing happens to me,” said Bandawe.
Sablay said that if anyone is in doubt they should contact the Gift of the Givers toll-free number on 0800 786 911.