Police in the Otjozondjupa Region have warned the public to be cautious because there are people impersonating police officers and targeting people who have registered criminal complaints.

Since December last year, community members at Okahandja and nearby areas have been scammed by men targeting people with criminal cases registered and threatening them with demands for payment.

According to a media statement by the Otjozondjupa Regional Commander, Henrich Tjiveze, a scammer who identifies himself as Inspector Maletzky phoned the victim, informing her that her furniture account was in arrears and demanding that she settle the said account by immediately paying money to the officer—to avoid having him arrested.

The victim made a payment of N$18,600 to the scammer, and about 20 other people have been scammed in the same manner.

To avoid falling victim to such scammers, the police are urging the public to ignore telephonic instructions by anyone claiming to be a police officer.