Botswana Police Service would like to warn the public about some local and international fraudsters who obtain money deceitfully from unsuspecting victims through fictitious e-mails and others means.

A number of reports received by the police in recent weeks indicate that fraudsters approached victims promising to buy for them imported vehicles and other merchandise at low-prices.

Upon payment of the required money, fraudsters disappear and cut communication with their victims. Recently the police recorded a number of cases in which unsuspecting members of the public lost huge sums of money to people who had promised to buy them motor vehicles from South Africa and other international markets but later disappeared.

The public is urged to be extra vigilant when making transactions with people they are not familiar with. The public is further advised to demand particulars of people they deal with before any transaction can be made. The public is advised to do business with agents who are registered as such in Botswana and have a physical address from which they conduct business in Botswana. This will assure them of where to go in case any complications arise.

The police would like to inform the public that investigating fraud cases, where suspects are beyond the jurisdiction and where computers were used is a very complicated process riddled with many legal complexities. It is therefore much advisable to do business with resident companies than through the internet.