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22 March 2007

The South African Police Service wishes to warn members of the public all over South Africa about an overseas job offer scam. These e-mails originate from within and outside South Africa.

The potential victim is notified via e-mail about a job offer with tempting lucrative benefits. These benefits include, among others, a huge salary and performance bonus, stock options, further education assistance, health, dental and disability insurance cover. The recipient would then be requested to disclose his or her personal details, including banking details, scanned identity documents and academic qualifications. He or she would then be sent a bogus employment contract to sign and immediately return.

The public is therefore warned to be extremely careful when considering overseas job offers, especially where one is requested to disclose one's personal details. This might lead to identity theft. We advise the following:

* do research on the company concerned via its website. A company profile will give more detailed insight. Any person receiving any form of correspondence with such an offer, should, without delay, contact the following numbers during office hours:
Telephone: (012) 401 3343/45/46/92 or (012) 393 1203
Fax: (012) 401 3369 or (012) 393 1202
E-mail: hq.commercial@saps.org.za or 419Scam@saps.org.za

Enquiries:
Captain Percy Morokane
National Spokesperson Media Relations
Tel: (012) 393 5541
Fax: (012) 393 5525/27
Cell: 082 778 5602

Issued by: South African Police Service
22 March 2007