Fraud fighters: City reaffirms zero tolerance against fraud during International Fraud Awareness Week
20 November 2024
In commemoration of International Fraud Awareness Week, the City’s Ethics and Forensic Services Department embarked on a number of initiatives to educate and engage residents on how not to become a victim of fraud. The City also has a proactive approach to investigating claims of fraud and corruption related to the City and its operations. Members of the public are encouraged to become ‘fraud fighters’ and report suspected fraud or corruption to 0800 32 31 30.
One of the fraud fighting awareness initiatives included a public outreach session today, 20 November 2024, in the Cape Town Civic Centre focusing on the services offered by the City’s Ethics and Forensic Services Department and the City’s external anti-fraud and corruption stakeholders.
‘We’re asking our residents to be fraud fighters. With their help, it enables us to be more proactive in our efforts to fight fraud and corruption as an organisation, but it also protects members of the public in a world where what is real and not real is increasingly difficult to discern.
‘As a City, we proactively investigate allegations of fraud and corruption in our operations and more often than not, the City is the one to alert the South African Police Service or prosecuting authorities of matters for investigation. The City also assists the authorities with any investigations involving public funds. We have a dedicated Fraud Hotline where anyone can provide anonymous tip offs and evidence of alleged wrongdoing involving public funds.
‘But there are also other fraud trends that affect our residents, such as scams regarding electricity purchases; cons where fraudsters are posing as City officials or fraudulently offering City services; or sadly also when victims of fraud pay money for what is offered as City housing opportunities or are scammed into making payments to be placed on government housing lists. Victims of fraud are often already financially vulnerable, in particular pensioners. Sadly, the money lost to these fraudsters is never recouped.
‘It remains vital that residents always phone the City’s fraud hotline or call centre to fact check anyone alleging to offer City or government services, or claiming to be employed by the City. The old saying that if it looks too good to be true, it probably is, remains very relevant even in our rapidly changing world,’ said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Finance, Councillor Siseko Mbandezi.
Report fraud and corruption by calling the Fraud Hotline on 0800 32 31 30.
Anonymous reporting is allowed on incidents relating to any person at the City, or who has dealings with the City, irrespective of position or seniority (employee, client or supplier).
When reporting an incident, members of the public should remember to mention the following: who, what, where, when, how and estimated value.
When a member of the public submits information, they get a reference number for any follow ups. They are advised to keep this confidential.
Caption: Fraud fighters - The City’s Ethics and Forensics Services Department, the City’s Ombudsman’s Office, the Special Investigation Unit, the Hawks and the Western Cape Government Forensics Services, were among the collaborators to drive fraud awareness during International Fraud Awareness Week.
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Published by:
City of Cape Town, Media Office
