PROJECT: PUBLIC AWARENESS - VERIFY BEFORE YOU TRUST
- Isabel Spies
- 1 day ago
- 4 min read
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The "Fake Friend & Boss" Impersonation Scam.
Gift card scams are among the most common and dangerous online frauds.
Once a victim pays with gift cards, the funds are nearly impossible to trace or recover,
leaving no financial trail for authorities to follow.
In our first project, we detailed how to spot and avoid fake prize scams.
Review it here:
Specialised Security Services remains committed to forewarning and educating the public as a core component of effective crime prevention. Although certain warnings may appear repetitive,
they must be repeated because the threat continues to evolve and the number of victims is increasing.
Mr. Mike Bolhuis receives ongoing calls from frantic individuals who have already lost money or fallen into sophisticated criminal traps, underscoring the importance of continuous public education.
Listen here to one such call:
SSS therefore reiterates critical safety messaging to ensure that South Africans remain vigilant,
informed, and protected against preventable crimes.
THE SCAM: IMPERSONATING SOMEONE YOU KNOW
Scammers are now posing as people you trust, your boss, a family member, or a close friend, to exploit your willingness to help.
They contact you via call, SMS, WhatsApp, or email with an urgent request for financial assistance, usually asking you to buy and send gift cards.
RED FLAGS & HOW TO PROTECT YOURSELF:
1. UNEXPECTED REQUESTS FOR HELP:
If you receive a sudden, urgent message from someone you know asking for money, especially via gift cards, pause immediately.
2. VERIFY THROUGH TRUSTED CHANNELS:
Call the person directly using the phone number you already have saved for them.
Do not reply to the message or use any contact details provided in the suspicious message.
Ask them in person or through a verified channel if they truly sent the request.
3. CHECK THE CONTACT DETAILS:
Emails:
Scammers often use free email services like Gmail to impersonate business contacts.
Legitimate work emails will come from your company’s domain (e.g., @yourcompany.com).
Phone Numbers:
If the message comes from an unknown number, even if the sender claims to be someone you know, it is likely a scam.
4. QUESTION THE PAYMENT METHOD:
No legitimate business, friend, or family member will ask you to pay them via gift cards.
If someone truly needs money, they would request a bank transfer or a secure payment method, not untraceable gift cards.
YOUR ACTION PLAN:
STOP:
Do not rush.
Urgency is a scammer’s tool.
VERIFY:
Contact the person directly using your own saved details.
REPORT:
Report the scam message to the platform (WhatsApp, email provider, SAPS, block and report on Truecaller so other people can see, etc.).
WARN OTHERS:
Share this advice with your friends, family, and coworkers.
REMEMBER:
Trust, but verify.
Scammers prey on your kindness and your trust in those you know.
By taking a moment to confirm the request,
you protect not only your finances but also your personal relationships from being exploited.
Stay alert. Stay safe. Verify before you act.
Specialised Security Services invites the public to the Mike Bolhuis Daily Projects WhatsApp Channel.
This channel is important in delivering insights into the latest crime trends, awareness, warnings and the exposure of criminals.
How to Join the WhatsApp Channel:
1. Make sure you have the latest version of WhatsApp on your device.
2. Click on the link below to join the Mike Bolhuis Daily Projects WhatsApp Channel:
3. Follow the prompts to join the channel.
4. Make sure you click on "Follow", then click on the "bell"-icon (🔔)
CONTACT MR MIKE BOLHUIS FOR SAFETY AND SECURITY MEASURES, PROTECTION, OR AN INVESTIGATION IF NEEDED.
ALL INFORMATION RECEIVED WILL BE TREATED IN THE STRICTEST CONFIDENTIALITY AND EVERY IDENTITY WILL BE PROTECTED.
Regards,
Mike Bolhuis
Specialist Investigators into
Serious Violent, Serious Economic Crimes & Serious Cybercrimes
PSIRA Reg. 1590364/421949
Mobile: +27 82 447 6116
E-mail: mike@mikebolhuis.co.za
Fax: 086 585 4924
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EXTREMELY IMPORTANT: All potential clients need to be aware that owing to the nature of our work as specialist investigators there are people who have been caught on the wrong side of the law - who are trying to discredit me - Mike Bolhuis and my organisation Specialised Security Services - to get themselves off the hook. This retaliation happens on social media and creates doubt about our integrity and ability. Doubt created on social media platforms is both unwarranted and untrue. We strongly recommend that you make up your minds concerning me and our organisation only after considering all the factual information - to the exclusion of hearsay and assumptions. Furthermore, you are welcome to address your concerns directly with me should you still be unsatisfied with your conclusions. While the internet provides a lot of valuable information, it is also a platform that distributes a lot of false information. The distribution of false information, fake news, slander and hate speech constitutes a crime that can be prosecuted by law. Your own research discretion and discernment are imperative when choosing what and what not to believe.
STANDARD RULES APPLY: Upon appointment, we require a formal mandate with detailed instructions. Please take note that should you not make use of our services – you may not under any circumstance use my name or the name of my organisation as a means to achieve whatever end.
POPI ACT 4 of 2013 South Africa: Mike Bolhuis' "Specialised Security Services" falls under Section 6 of the act. Read more here: https://mikebh.link/fntdpv
SSS TASK TEAM:
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Mike Bolhuis Specialised Security Services
PO Box 15075 Lynn East
Pretoria, Gauteng 0039
South Africa
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