Erasmus Shalihaxwe
The Namibian Police Force has warned members of the public to be vigilant of criminals impersonating police officers by pretending to have a warrant of arrest to instill fear and urgency in individuals who fail to pay maintenance.
Police spokesperson Deputy Commissioner Kauna Shikwambi, has cautioned the community in Katima Mulilo in the Zambezi Region as well as the entire country that there is a scam targeting maintenance respondents, where criminals are impersonating police officers to solicit money under false pretenses.
She said incidents have been reported where individuals are posing as Police officers contacting maintenance respondents, falsely claiming that they are in arrears for their maintenance payments and threatening them with arrest if they don’t immediately pay.
Shikwambi explained that the impostors utilise methods of carrying warrants of arrest to instill fear and urgency, threatening to effect arrests if the targeted individuals fail to comply.
She therefore advised that people should remember that legitimate law enforcement officers do not conduct themselves in such a manner and do not demand immediate payments or threaten arrest for unpaid maintenance arrears.
“The Namibian Police Force would like to reiterate our warning to the public members to be extra cautious and avoid giving personal information, and if you encounter a suspicious call or interaction or a scam attempt, you are urgently urged to report it to your nearest Police Station, by providing as much detail as possible, including the caller’s information and the nature of the interaction,” said Shikwambi.
