Northern towns urge residents to be vigilant against scams
Scammers on the prowl
Local authorities emphasised that they do not request payments over the phone, following multiple reports of scammers impersonating council staff on calls to residents.
Several town councils in the north have warned residents to remain vigilant against scammers impersonating representatives from their offices and soliciting funds in exchange for fake bid awards or plot allocations.
Last week, Oshakati Town Council spokesperson Katarina Kamari issued a statement advising residents to be aware that their office does not request any form of payment or funds over the phone.
This week, the Oshikoto Regional Council office echoed these concerns, urging residents to be cautious of scammers who ask bidders and service providers to make payments in exchange for bid awards.
Regional spokesperson Petrus Nehale said the town authorities were notified of fraudulent calls from individuals imporsanting employees of the Oshikoto council in an attempt to solicit funds.
Nehale underlined that the regional office does not negotiate with bidders regarding the awarding of procurement contracts or call bidders to inform them about procurement awards.
“Council upholds the highest standards of ethics and integrity when dealing with public procurement, and all our bid advertisements, notices of selection and awards are usually uploaded on the website and communicated to successful bidders in writing,” he said.
'Do not engage'
He cautioned residents to be vigilant to avoid falling prey to scams.
Nehale urged anyone who receives such calls to report the matter immediately to the nearest police station or contact the regional council's PR and meetings department.
Kamari said residents should be aware that their office does not request any form of payment or funds from anyone over the phone.
“If you receive any suspicious calls or messages claiming to be from the council, do not engage. Kindly report such incidents immediately to the Oshakati Town Council at 065-229500 or your nearest police station,” she said.
She advised residents to always verify any communication that appears unusual or questionable.
Ondangwa Town Council spokesperson Petrina Shitalangaho-Mutikisha told Namibian Sun that they have not yet recorded any incidents of scammers operating in their town.
Shitalangaho-Mutikisha nevertheless warned residents to beware of scam attempts and to report any suspicious activities to the town council or the police.
“We are worried and closely monitoring the situation. The incidents are rising in other towns, but Ondangwa has been safe so far,” she said.
Last week, Oshakati Town Council spokesperson Katarina Kamari issued a statement advising residents to be aware that their office does not request any form of payment or funds over the phone.
This week, the Oshikoto Regional Council office echoed these concerns, urging residents to be cautious of scammers who ask bidders and service providers to make payments in exchange for bid awards.
Regional spokesperson Petrus Nehale said the town authorities were notified of fraudulent calls from individuals imporsanting employees of the Oshikoto council in an attempt to solicit funds.
Nehale underlined that the regional office does not negotiate with bidders regarding the awarding of procurement contracts or call bidders to inform them about procurement awards.
“Council upholds the highest standards of ethics and integrity when dealing with public procurement, and all our bid advertisements, notices of selection and awards are usually uploaded on the website and communicated to successful bidders in writing,” he said.
'Do not engage'
He cautioned residents to be vigilant to avoid falling prey to scams.
Nehale urged anyone who receives such calls to report the matter immediately to the nearest police station or contact the regional council's PR and meetings department.
Kamari said residents should be aware that their office does not request any form of payment or funds from anyone over the phone.
“If you receive any suspicious calls or messages claiming to be from the council, do not engage. Kindly report such incidents immediately to the Oshakati Town Council at 065-229500 or your nearest police station,” she said.
She advised residents to always verify any communication that appears unusual or questionable.
Ondangwa Town Council spokesperson Petrina Shitalangaho-Mutikisha told Namibian Sun that they have not yet recorded any incidents of scammers operating in their town.
Shitalangaho-Mutikisha nevertheless warned residents to beware of scam attempts and to report any suspicious activities to the town council or the police.
“We are worried and closely monitoring the situation. The incidents are rising in other towns, but Ondangwa has been safe so far,” she said.
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