The Namibian Police Force (NamPol) warned the public to be on alert about the latest scammers targeting desperate vehicle buyers through providing falsified documents bearing forged signatures and soliciting funds under false claims. In a media statement availed to NAMPA here Sunday, Public Relations Division Head, Deputy Commissioner Kauna Shikwambi said in the scam the offender would share pictures of the vehicle they pretend to be selling with the would-be buyer on Facebook and once the buyer expresses interest in buying the car, they would then arrange and complete alleged paperwork which bears a forged police date stamp as well as a forged signature of the police deputy inspector general to make it seem authentic. She said the police are currently investigating a syndicate, which involves a number of people including women who were sent by the scammer to withdraw money that was deposited by the buyer. “Thus far, N$43 000 was recovered. The investigation into this particular scam is at an advanced stage and so far two suspects were arrested,” Shikwambi said. Moreover, Shikwambi said the preliminary investigations conducted established that male suspects involved in this case are convicted offenders serving in correctional facilities. “A unit/cell search was conducted by correctional officers and as a result five mobile phones were found in the targeted cells,” said Shikwambi. In view of this, the Namibian Police Force said it would like to reiterate its continuous warning by deterring the Namibian nation from smuggling items into police or correctional facilities because it gives room to criminals to advance their criminal activities. “Offenders in this regard will sternly be dealt with in accordance with the law.” Shikwambi further discouraged the public from engaging in unverified online transactions and therefore called on community members to always stay alert to the possibility of being scammed when deciding to buy. “The public is reminded of the risks of buying cars, which they have not viewed physically and the public is encouraged not to deposit money into an account for a car that is not received,” she advised. -NAMPA