Edward Kieswetter David Masondo

South African Revenue Services Commissioner Edward Kieswetter and Deputy Finance Minister David Masondo launching the 2019 tax season for taxpayers who use e-filing and the SARS MobiApp. PHOTO: Jonisayi Maromo / ANA

National Treasury warns against scam in name of deputy finance minister

There is apparently a scam doing the rounds in which the fraudsters approach companies using David Masondo’s name and offer financial assistance.

Edward Kieswetter David Masondo

South African Revenue Services Commissioner Edward Kieswetter and Deputy Finance Minister David Masondo launching the 2019 tax season for taxpayers who use e-filing and the SARS MobiApp. PHOTO: Jonisayi Maromo / ANA

The Ministry of Finance has warned of a scam being purported in the name of Deputy Minister of Finance Dr. David Masondo.

Scam run across multiple platforms

In a statement from the National Treasury, it warns against the same being run on various platforms, promising people funding for their businesses.

“The Deputy Minister of Finance would like to alert the public that he and the Ministry would never approach people and offer them financial assistance of any kind.

“In most instances, those that fall for these scams, end up being requested to later pay thousands of rand before their businesses can be assisted, leading to financial loss and stress for the victims.”

Treasury warns South Africans to be vigilant

The ministry reiterated that such scams can only succeed to the extent that members of the public have an unquenchable thirst for easy wealth.

It cautioned people to look out for warnings signs such as:

  • If an organisation already has all of your personal details, they will not request you to re-confirm those details
  • The e-mail requestor always requests for bank account information, credit card numbers, driver’s licence number, passport number, information about members of your family, and other personal information
  • The e-mail or SMS advises that you have won a prize – even though you are not aware of having entered any competition run by the prize promoters
  • The names of persons used as senders of the e-mails are common

– African News Agency (ANA), Editing by Lindiz van Zilla

Follows trend set with Zandile Gumede scam

The scam perhaps singals somewhat of a trend of scammers using policital figures to lure people into giving them money.

Back in June 2019, news emerged of a scam involving requests to residents of eThekwini to raise funds to help Zandile Gumede pay her legal fees.

“The municipality would like to warn residents that mayor Gumede has not asked for such donations and is not part of the scheme,” the eThekwini municipality statement said at the time.

“This is a scam and anyone who is approached by these unscrupulous individuals must report the matter to the nearest police station.