Man loses over N.dollars 900 000 to internet fraud at Gobabis

The Namibian Police Force (NamPol) at Gobabis in the Omaheke Region are investigating a fraud and theft under false pretences case after a man lost close to N.dollars 1 million due to internet fraud on Friday. In a weekend crime report issued on Sunday, NamPol spokesperson, Deputy Commissioner Kauna Shikwambi, said it is alleged that the victim received a text message from the suspect on his mobile phone from an unknown number, which claimed that the complainant purchased bitcoin. 'It is alleged that the suspect then called the complainant again from TN mobile and MTC unknown numbers claiming to be an official from the fraud department of Bank Windhoek, who was enquiring about the bitcoin purchased and informed the complainant that his account is under suspicion,' added the report. The report said in the process, the suspect allegedly requested the login credentials and passwords of the victim's online banking account, which was linked to his mother's account, and allegedly transferred about N.dollars 975 900 from the account through multiple transactions. Police are yet to arrest a suspect in this case. In a similar case police at Swakopmund in the Erongo Region, the police are investigating a case of theft under false pretenses after a pensioner lost more than N.dollars 200 000 to an unknown suspect on Friday. It is alleged that a woman called the pensioner claiming to be from Bank Windhoek regarding money being withdrawn from the complainant's account and sent the pensioner a fake bank notification from her cellphone number. 'It is further alleged that she requested the victim to send her the user name in order to stop the transaction. The victim complied and the suspect accessed the account and transferred N.dollars 225 800 to four different accounts,' said the report. No recovery or arrest has been made. Meanwhile, a 16-year-old girl, identified as Naufiku Shangelao Johannes, died on the spot after she was allegedly struck by a vehicle while crossing the road at Omafo village near the Helao Nafidi T own Council office in the Ohangwena Region. The incident occurred around 13h00 on Saturday. Johannes' next of kin have been informed of her death. In a separate incident, police at Sesfontein in the Kunene Region arrested a 52-year-old man after he was found in possession of cannabis plants and seeds, the value of which is unknown. Police investigations into all matters continue. Source : The Namibia News Agency