The Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (Potraz) issued a warning regarding a surge in impersonation scams taking place on social media, particularly on platforms like WhatsApp.
In their official statement, Potraz highlighted an alarming trend where unauthorized individuals are engaging in identity th3ft, utilizing foreign-registered subscriber numbers to deceive the public.
Potraz emphasized that these scammers often create WhatsApp accounts that mimic the profiles of well-known public figures.
By ste@ling the identities of these individuals and adopting their likenesses through profile pictures and similar names, the fraudsters are successfully misleading unsuspecting members of the community.
This tactic not only damages the reputation of the individuals being impersonated but also puts innocent citizens at financial risk.
The regulatory body is particularly concerned about the impact these scams are having on the public, as victims have reported significant monetary losses.
Furthermore, Potraz is committed to raising awareness about these scams and is working to implement measures that can help mitigate this issue in the future.
They have encouraged the public to report any suspicious activity or potential scams to the appropriate authorities, as this can assist in curbing these fraudulent practices.
SOURCE : NEWSREPORTZIM.COM
