The Namibian Police Force (NAMPOL) in the Otjozondjupa Region called on members of the public to refrain from depositing money through any banking system to a businessperson they have met on a social media platform. NAMPOL spokesperson in the region, Inspector Maureen Mbeha on Thursday told NAMPA in an interview that three people were defrauded of money through bogus business dealings on social media platforms. Mbeha said a woman on Tuesday lost N$20 000 after she allegedly deposited it through an electronic banking transfer system to a suspected fraudster who posted furniture for sale on the platform. The suspect on Tuesday allegedly posted on a social media fancy second-hand beds, lounge suite, televisions, dining tables and blankets for sale, apparently as the owner was relocating to Germany from his commercial farm, situated between Otjiwarongo and Okahandja. “A Namibian woman was lured by this post and she started communicating with him until she was convinced to electronically transfer N$20 000,” said Mbeha. Immediately after the transfer of cash, the suspect allegedly withdrew the N$20 000 and then switched off his cellphone, while the woman did not receive any furniture, Mbeha said. The police officer also said that two male employees of a gold mine situated in the Otjiwarongo area also fell victim in January this year after they deposited money through an electronic banking system when they tried to purchase furniture advertised on a social media platform. “The first victim paid a deposit of N$3 000 for the goods, while the second one paid N$5 000 for the goods, which were advertised on the platform,” Mbeha said. Mbeha said after the deposits were made, the cellphone of the bogus businessman who advertised the furniture was switched off, while the buyers did not receive any furniture or their money back. She said these three fraud cases are registered with NAMPOLand no arrests have been made in connection with them. Mbeha, therefore, urged the public to only pay money for the goods they have received and to people they can physically see or to at least send a trusted family member to the place where these goods are being sold to verify the authenticity of the goods. -NAMPA