Scamming red flags to look out for!
Netflix’s latest crime documentary, The Tinder Swindler, has the global public captivated and enraged on behalf of the victims. How did Cecille fall for his scam? How is he not behind bars yet?
While private jets, spur-of-the-moment international trips, and threats by ‘enemies’ don’t feature in the majority of scams, Simon Leviev’s antics remind us of some of the common red flags to look out for.
Scams on the African continent are on the rise – a recent study by a South African credit rating agency, TransUnion, shows that 37% of South African consumers were recently targeted by COVID-19-related digital fraud. To help educate us all on what to look out for, Ayanda Ndimande, Head of Sanlam Business Development for Retail Credit shares some of the most common red flags.
Match Made in Heaven? Think Again.
Out of the blue, Cecille matches with Simon on Tinder and, after a quick coffee date, he’s whisking her away on a private jet. Have you ever been walking through the mall and had someone come up to you and offer you money? No? Of course not. The digital world is like the analog one in that it is very rare that someone would just come up to you and make you a generous offer like this. Skepticism costs nothing and could save you a great deal.
‘Send Me Your Passport Details’
Scammers love knowing everything about you, so asking for your passport details on the first date should’ve been a massive red flag. From your ID or passport number and physical address to your bank statements, they will try to glean as much personal information as they can from you. Be very wary about giving your details to anybody.
Too Good to Be True?
Simon’s victims were looking for love, and a lavish lifestyle, so a single billionaire was an enticing hook. In the same way, it is very tempting to think that you may be the luckiest person in the world, but if an offer of a US$1,000 investment opportunity at 50% interest finds itself in your inbox, then it’s almost certainly too good to be true.
‘Send Money Now’
The more time you think things over, the less likely you are to be conned. Internet villains like Simon know this and so their schemes often come with a time crunch. Don’t let yourself be pressurised into acting quickly.
While these tell-tale signs weren’t part of Simon Leviev’s con, make sure you are also on the lookout for the below.
Spelling Mistakes
When was the last time your bank sent you correspondence with spelling mistakes? Reputable companies hire people to make sure that doesn’t happen. Scammers, on the other hand, just hope that you don’t notice. It is also a good idea to check the email address. If it is from a Gmail account, Yahoo, or any other free email service, then don’t click it.
Phishing/Vishing
Phishing is especially vicious, as it’s a scam correspondence framed like it’s from someone you know. For example, you might get an email from your boss, asking you to urgently send funds because there’s a problem with the company account. It looks legit, seems to come from an address almost exactly like your boss’s email address, and is signed with your employer’s name. If you get an email asking for funds, immediately pick up the phone and call the right people to clarify that it comes from the company. It’s especially easy to fall for phishing and vishing (voice fishing for funds via platforms like WhatsApp).
Get the CONFIDENCE to transact online by learning more about some of the common scamming techniques in play today by visiting Sanlam Online Safety
Sanlam Private Wealth and Zimnat Asset Management Launch Zimnat Wealth International
Zimnat Asset Management has partnered with Sanlam Private Wealth to provide offshore investment capability This opportunity is not limited to individual investors only but also to Pension Funds and Corporates.
Zimnat Asset Management’s unique collaboration with Sanlam Private Wealth seeks to introduce global investment products and solutions to Zimbabwean investors with a view to earning attractive, sustainable, and safe returns on their investments over the long term.
This association enables investors to have access to a platform of leading globally accredited investment funds that cover a diverse range of asset classes. These include 5 Star Morningstar rated Mutual Funds, Exchange Traded Funds, Hedge Funds, Fixed Income Securities, and Capital Guaranteed Structured Products. Sanlam Private Wealth prides itself on its expertise in creating an individually customized investment portfolio that takes into account the purpose and risk appetite of each client
Commenting on the side-lines of the launch event, Sanlam Private Wealth Managing Director Mr. Mark Muller said, “We are excited to be expanding our relationship with the Zimnat Group, this partnership will open global opportunities for clients who have been yearning to explore investing on the global market.”
Sanlam Private Wealth is a member of the Sanlam Group, a leading global financial services business that has been advising investors globally since 1918. The Group provides comprehensive and tailored financial solutions to individual and institutional clients. The group’s ultimate holding company is listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange as well as the Namibian Stock Exchange, with a USD10 billion market cap and USD104 billion asset under management.
The minimum investment amount is USD50k.
Speaking at the launch event held at The Venue Avondale, Zimnat Investments Cluster CEO, Mrs. Elizabeth Rabvukwa, said, “This is a great opportunity for Zimbabwean investors who have free funds and are willing to explore investing in global markets. The relationship between Zimnat Asset Management and Sanlam Private Wealth will provide a secure and safe gateway to invest in offshore markets as Sanlam has been in existence for more than 100 years and Zimnat has also been in existence for more than 75 years”
The Zimnat Group has four main business units, namely general insurance, life assurance, asset management, and microfinance. The group is driven by its mission to make life better. It is associated with the Sanlam Group, the largest non-banking financial institution on the continent.