WOMEN BEWARE!

Fraud is quietly spreading in Botswana, with women becoming the most affected. Many are being lured into traps through false promises and deceit, leaving behind a trail of emotional distress and financial loss.In recent months, police across the country have been handling cases in which women were lured, manipulated, and ultimately robbed of large sums of money. These scams, often disguised as business deals, lottery wins, or rewards from well-known companies, are proving especially effective against women hoping for a financial breakthrough. In one case, a 56-year-old woman from Letlhakane was swindled of P845,000 between April 20 and May 9. Four suspects, all claiming to be prophets, were later arrested in connection with the case. The suspects are Dimpho Lebakeng (41) from Tonota, Thatayaone Lucian (48), Tuelo Seduke (32) from Mahalapye, and Phethani Moyo (38), a Zimbabwean national. They appeared before the Letlhakane Magistrate Court. The fifth suspect remains at large. The suspects approached the woman while reversing into a local parking lot. One greeted her and began making prophetic claims. Already troubled by personal issues, the woman was drawn in by the story and believed the man to be a genuine prophet.Others, who were accomplices pretending to seek his help, reinforced the act, making the scam more believable. "They then told the woman that her house is haunted, so she should sell it and bring all the money to them for cleansing.Then, she could buy or build another one." The suspects were arrested in Maun on May 23. Property, including four vehicles and furniture, suspected of having been bought with the stolen money, was seized. Detective Assistant Superintendent Mfanyana Albert told the court that investigations were still at an early stage and requested that the accused remain in custody. The case is scheduled to return to court on June 9. In Mahalapye, a woman lost P42,000 earlier this year after being told she had won P20,000 in a supposed Choppies competition. The scammer, posing as an employee of the retail chain, asked for her banking details to deposit the winnings. Shortly after providing the information, the woman’s account was emptied. Mahalapye Central Police Station Commander, Superintendent Meshack Ranku, said this type of scam is common and difficult to trace. He urged the public not to share personal information with strangers, regardless of how convincing they may seem. In Moshupa, a 54-year-old woman from Mmaseetsele ward lost P170,205 to fraudsters who pretended to be Mascom agents. They claimed she had won a P4,000 voucher and requested her banking details to transfer the prize. Instead, funds from her account were transferred to 19 different cellphone numbers.Former Moshupa Police Station Commander, Senior Superintendent David Ramoseki said the woman believed she was acting in good faith, only to fall into a well-set trap. These incidents point to a growing trend that police say is a concern. While men are also scammed, women, especially those under financial pressure or with caregiving responsibilities, tend to be more vulnerable. Fraudsters are known to exploit trust, hope, and emotional needsCybersmart Botswana Programme Coordinator, David Moepeng, warned that while cyber technology can be beneficial, it has also become a tool for criminal activity. He advised Batswana to be cautious when sharing personal information online, as scammers may use it to defraud them. Experts who spoke to The Midweek Sun believe the root of the problem lies in desperation and misplaced trust. Many victims are either unemployed, supporting extended families, or simply hoping for financial relief. When someone offers a shortcut to money, disguised as a prize or business opportunity, victims often act without verifying the details. Superintendent Michael Maphepu, Station Commander at Letlhakane police, urged the public to take extra care, noting that fraudsters often target women and advised them not to keep their struggles private. Instead, they should involve someone they trust when seeking help. He also encouraged the public to double-check with official company contacts whenever they are informed they have won a competition. Choppies retail stores issued a warning that they never request personal banking details or PINs via phone calls or messages (SMS ) in any of their competitions.

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WOMEN BEWARE!