…By Roland Peterson for TDPel Media. A recent incident in KwaZulu-Natal has highlighted the unfortunate plight of four women who were scammed out of nearly R100,000 by an imposter posing as a pilot and promising them marriage.
This deceptive individual, known as Ravi Kumar, targeted women from different towns in the region.
The scamming activities were not limited to KwaZulu-Natal, as similar incidents involving three women, including two single mothers and a divorcee, were reported in 2022.
The victims were conned out of a total of R113,450 through TikTok. These distressing incidents shed light on the need for increased vigilance against online scams.
Women Scammed by Fake Pilot
Private security organization Reaction Unit South Africa (RUSA) reported that several women had recently fallen victim to a scam orchestrated by an individual posing as a pilot.
The victims disclosed that the scammer introduced himself as Ravi Kumar, a single airline pilot residing in Los Angeles, California.
His modus operandi involved sending friend requests on Facebook and initiating conversations on Facebook Messenger, eventually obtaining the victims’ contact numbers.
The Deceptive Tactics
Once the victims were contacted on WhatsApp using the number +39 3510164225, which has an international dialing code indicating Italy, the scam progressed further.
After engaging in conversations for a few weeks, the imposter would request the victims’ home addresses under the pretense of sending them gifts.
The women received images of a box allegedly containing $15,000 (approximately R300,000).
Promises of Love and Financial Demands
Exploiting the victims’ emotions, the fake pilot professed his love and made promises to visit South Africa to marry them.
However, he would subsequently request large sums of money, specifically R5,000 daily, by providing explanations such as the customs authorities withholding the box of gifts and cash, being stuck at the airport, or losing his bank cards.
These demands placed immense financial burden on the victims, ultimately resulting in a collective loss of R97,000.
Conclusion:
The distressing experiences of these women in KwaZulu-Natal and the incidents reported in 2022 underline the prevalence of online scams and the vulnerability of individuals targeted by fraudsters.
It is crucial to remain cautious and skeptical when engaging with unknown individuals online.
These incidents should serve as a reminder for increased awareness and vigilance to prevent falling victim to such scams.
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