Homeowner thwarts water service scam by alerting authorities in eThekwini
The vigilant homeowner, aware of the ongoing scam, contacted the suspect. As soon as the suspect arrived at the property, the homeowner immediately alerted Marshall Security.
Image: Marshall Security
In recent months, eThekwini residents have fallen prey to a growing scam where individuals impersonate municipal water department officials, presenting fabricated disconnection notices to unsuspecting homeowners.
The fraudulent notices threaten to disconnect water services due to alleged unpaid fees and instruct victims to contact a fake representative for urgent assistance. These deceptive plots often coerce residents into making payments, either electronically or in cash, to avoid immediate disconnection.
However, Marshall Security managing director Tyron Powell said that one vigilant homeowner in the Sunningdale area, in Durban, spurred by awareness of the ongoing scam, contacted the suspect, and upon his arrival at the property, the homeowner immediately alerted Marshall Security.
Several armed response officers and members of the Marshall Security Special Operations Team arrived on the scene and apprehended the suspect.
Durban North SAPS and eThekwini Municipality officials were contacted and arrived shortly thereafter.
Powell said the homeowner officially opened a fraud case with the police.
“The eThekwini Municipality officials who attended confirmed the suspect is not an eThekwini Municipality official and will assist SAPS in further investigating the suspect and emphasising community awareness,” Powell said.
He added that the incident highlights the importance of community vigilance and prompt reporting.
“Our officers are always on the lookout, ready to intervene, and protect residents from fraud and criminal activity,” Powell said.
“We urge all residents to verify municipal officials at the point of contact and never make payments without confirmation from official channels.”
Powell also urged the public to report the matter to the police soon should they fall victim to any scam with the same modus operandi.
“Marshall Security continues to work closely with local authorities and municipal departments to ensure criminals are held accountable and communities remain safe. Residents are encouraged to report suspicious activity immediately and to stay informed about common scams targeting homes and properties,” Powell said.
KwaZulu-Natal police spokesperson Colonel Robert Netshiunda confirmed that police in Durban North arrested a 49-year-old man for cases of fraud and extortion following an incident in which a man allegedly posed as a municipality employee and extorted money from people, threatening to cut their water supply if they did not pay.
He said the incident occurred in Glen Anil on Tuesday.
The arrest follows IOL’s report that Sumen Moodley’s swift consultation with his community WhatsApp group stopped him from electronically transferring money to someone impersonating a municipal official. The impersonator called him and asked for R200 for a cool drink, then he would not install a water restrictor.
The alleged scammer sent Moodley a WhatsApp message containing a letter that read: “This notice serves to inform all industrial and domestic water users that eThekwini Municipality is installing restrictors to your water meter to reduce water pressure. This is done to save water, as we are experiencing water shortages and the demand is high. You are hereby requested not to tamper with the restrictor in your water meters.”
The eThekwini Municipality stated that they have been made aware of criminals disguising themselves as municipal employees purporting to be from the eThekwini Water Services Directorate. These criminals are allegedly soliciting bribes from residents, claiming they have been sent to disconnect the water supply and request a bribe in order for the residents’ water not to be disconnected.
Image: Supplied
Last week, the eThekwini Municipality warned residents about criminals pretending to be eThekwini Water Services Directorate employees.
The municipality said allegations have surfaced regarding criminals soliciting bribes from residents. These individuals claim to be authorised to disconnect the water supply and demand payment to prevent the disconnection of services.
If you are asked for a bribe, please report it to the city’s Integrity and Investigations Directorate. You can call toll-free on 0800 20 20 20 or 031 311 4002, or email ombuds@durban.gov.za
thobeka.ngema@inl.co.za